Owner of the Month – April – Arun Chadha
The pinnacle of the Highveld horseracing season was Champions Day which provided a host of thrilling races, some upsets and many celebrations on the racecourse. Fatal Flaw won the Grade 1 TAB Empress Club Stakes and provided the ASSM Racing Syndicate with another Grade 1 success. Arun Chadha, the nominee of the syndicate, was on course to receive the trophy and was beaming with pride. The Racehorse Owners Association is honored to name Arun as our owner of the month.
A lifelong lover of horses and racing, Arun has firmly established himself as a key player in the South African racing scene. From his earliest days accompanying his father to the races in Pune, India, to leading one of the country’s largest racing syndicates, his journey is marked by unwavering passion and commitment.
Today, Arun is the nominee of the ASSM Racing Syndicate, who owns around 70 horses, including promising young prospects and seasoned runners. The syndicate also boasts a breeding arm with 20 broodmares and the stallion Heavenly Blue, a reflection of their long-term vision in the racing and breeding industry.
Their horses are trained by an impressive lineup of top conditioners around the country, including Brett and James Crawford, Sean Tarry, Mike de Kock, Lucky Houdalakis, and Alson Ndzilana in the central region, Candice Bass-Robinson and Vaughan Marshall in the Western Cape, Alan Greeff in Gqeberha and Nathan Kotzen in KwaZulu Natal.
Arun’s re-entry into the sport came in 2012 with his business partner, Warne Rippon, with whom he imported their first horse, Akii Bua, from Australia. Since then, the passion has only grown stronger. Memorable moments in their racing journey include Umgiyo’s victory in Dubai at Meydan Racecourse, winning the Gulf News Classifieds Handicap, Heavenly Blue’s win in the SA Classic (Gr 1), and Fatal Flaw’s breathtaking triumph in the Cape Fillies Guineas (Gr 1).
Most recently, Fatal Flaw delivered another unforgettable moment with her second Grade 1 victory in the TAB Empress Club Stakes on Champions Day. “She’s an amazing filly. We wait our whole lives to have one like her,” Arun reflects. The win was particularly sweet as it came with Gavin Lerena in the irons, a ride he specifically requested. “I was standing at the winners’ box and couldn’t see the finish line, I wasn’t sure she had won. But she had beaten the odds-on favourite and proved she’s the best filly in South Africa”. He also congratulated her breeder, Laurence Wernars, who is also their good friend.
Beyond racing, Arun is the Group CEO of Allied Steelrode, one of the country’s largest steel processors and a major supplier to the automotive, fabrication, and construction sectors, as well as a steel exporter into Africa.
Despite his business commitments, Arun continues to invest in and uplift the racing industry. Through ASSM, he has proudly sponsored the Onamission Charity Mile for three consecutive years, showing his commitment to giving back. “Horse racing is the king of sports. It’s thrilling, glamorous, and connects people from all walks of life. But most of all, it’s about the love of horses”.
He also acknowledges the role of pioneers like Mary Slack in sustaining the industry and believes South African racing needs broader support beyond betting companies. “Many businesses shy away due to the gambling association, but we need to change that perception,” he says.
A member of the Racehorse Owners Association since 2012, Arun praises the ROA’s Maiden Bonus initiative, its efforts to attract new members, and the board’s active involvement on race days, he often sees Board members interacting with members.
From his early racing days in India to his current role as a prominent owner through the syndicate, Arun’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose. His deep respect for the horse, commitment to the sport, and vision for the future make him a truly deserving Owner of the Month.
We thank Arun and the ASSM Racing Syndicate for their continued support and wish them a wonderful racing season.
