Mike de Kock with Kevin Shea, a potent combination (image: supplied)
Hall of Fame Beckons for Racing Icon Mike de Kock
OFF THE RECORD #83
By Charl Pretorius
The South African Hall of Fame has announced the induction of legendary trainer Mike de Kock, with a formal ceremony to be held at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Gold Cup Day, next Sunday. A similar honour was recently bestowed on Ormond Ferraris at a Turffontein meeting. The Hall of Fame recognises extraordinary South Africans, with past inductees including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Gary Player — icons whose achievements have shaped the nation’s history.
“Mike de Kock is a true icon of South African horse racing,” said SA Hall of Fame Chairman Johnny Burger. “He is a pioneer whose legacy has elevated the sport and South Africa’s sporting reputation both locally and internationally.”
With a career spanning over 35 years, across five continents, in 10 countries and boasting Group race victories in 8 countries, De Kock ranks among the most accomplished and respected racehorse trainers in the world. His induction is more than a personal achievement — it’s a celebration of a legacy that has redefined South African horse racing on the global stage.
De Kock responded earlier this week: “This is a wonderful honour and privilege for me, for which I thank the Hall of Fame. It’s great to receive industry accolades, but recognition on a national level is a step up. For that, I am most grateful.”
Above: Mike with Horse Chestnut and connections after the 1999 SA Derby (image: JC Photos)
Racing fans have a short memory, even when it comes to legends. Let’s track back a few decades: De Kock’s international successes in Dubai and elsewhere stretch back to the year 2000, when he won his first international Group race in the United States with the legendary Horse Chestnut, before the advent of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
In 2003 he secured a memorable Dubai World Cup night double, with Ipi Tombe in the G1 Dubai Duty Free and Victory Moon in the G2 UAE Derby. Plenty more have followed since then, with his Dubai base providing a springboard for successes in Hong Kong, with the likes of Iridescence, Eagle Mountain, Archipenko and Variety Club, and Singapore, with Lizard’s Desire. In 2015, Mike even took on the American Triple Crown with Mubtaahij, the colt doing him credit by finishing fourth in American Pharoah’s Belmont.
Above: Training Mubtaahij before the Kentucky Derby (image: supplied)
Mike’s list of illustrious runners includes the mentioned international winners, and also the likes of Right Approach, Grey’s Inn, Sun Classique, Soft Falling Rain, Irish Flame, Igugu, Shea Shea, Vercingetorix and Bold Silvano, with several successful stallions among them, including South Africa’s current star sire, Vercingetorix.
Read the Full Story here: OFF THE RECORD #83
