From the desk – August
Dear Members.
Welcome to the August edition of ROA Today and join us in celebrating the four-year anniversary of our monthly newsletter.
As Women’s Month draws to a close, I am delighted to pay tribute to a Lady Member in our ROA Owner of the Month feature who is doing much for the community around her and inspiring other owners to do the same. Lorette Louw is a passionate racehorse owner and patron of the sport. Click here for her story. This month we are also able to mark the graduation and completion of Stage 1 of four young ladies within James Maree’s Thoroughbred Racing Development Centre Work Riders Programme.
The month of August also ushers in our racing awards season and on Thursday the 15th of August we celebrated the 2024 Equus Awards. The event took place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and was hosted by Cape Racing. Mrs Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud once again maintained their excellent standards and took home several awards including Outstanding Breeder and Champion Owner. Dave the King was crowned a Horse of the Year and my most sincere and heartiest congratulations to all the winners and their connections, all are deserving champions. Click here for all of the winners.
While reflecting on the season passed, it would be remiss of me not to mention the outstanding achievements of our Life Member of the Month, Mr Laurence Wernars. Mr Wernars completed the season as top owner for Central Provinces once again and the honour befits this incredible supporter and patron of horseracing in South Africa as a whole, and in particular up on the Highveld. Mr Wernars’s achievements and milestones, not only on the racetrack but also behind the scenes, both in playing a part in the administration of the sport over the years and of course, his support in the creation of the Studio 88 Golden Grooms, the first of its kind Grooms’ initiative on the Highveld. These are only a few of the topics we have endeavoured to cover in this feature article and in conveying his racing journey together with his family, friends and partners. Please click here for the full story.
Good news was announced by the ROA during the course of this month with regards to ROA Bonus Stakes, which have been added back to selected races in 4Racing regions from the 1st of September 2024. Details are included here, and we are delighted to support our loyal members with this initiative. Please ensure that your membership is up to date in order to qualify for the bonuses.
I must note the resignation of Ms Desiree de Andrade as a director on the Board of the ROA at the end of July 2024. Ms de Andrade served this board from December 2021 and as interim Chair for the last 5 months. On behalf of all members, staff, management and the rest of the Board I wish to thank her for her commitment and hard work during her tenure. We wish her the very best for the future and especially continued racing success in the season ahead. I’m pleased to announce that Xander Spies has subsequently been elected as Chairman of the ROA as of the 7th of August 2024. I look forward to working closely with Xander on several initiatives to better serve members of the Association.
I take this opportunity to remind members of the notification calling for nominations to the ROA Board that was circulated in mid-August; the closing date for submissions is the 15th of September 2024. In addition to this, please note that members must renew their membership before 31 August in order to remain in good standing and continue to be eligible for member benefits.
In conclusion, my deepest sympathies go to Robin Bruss on the sudden passing of his wife, Jane. I hope the fond memories of Jane bring Robin and his family comfort at this time of grief. I was also saddened to hear of the passing of James Maphiri, an iconic figure in South African racing journalism. He was a gentleman of the sport, and imparted so much knowledge and wisdom to me, always with a warm smile and effervescent greeting. My sincere condolences to his beloved family, friends and former colleagues.
