Owner of the Month – September – Andrea Puggia

The Racehorse Owners Association is thrilled to present Andrea Puggia as our Owner of the Month this September. With nine horses currently in training and additional involvement in syndicates, he continues to embrace the excitement, camaraderie, and rewards that ownership brings.

Andrea has horses with leading Eastern Cape trainers Alan Greeff, Gavin Smith, and Jacques Strydom, having also supported other PE-based trainers in the past. His involvement as an owner began in the early 2000s, but his passion sparked decades earlier. Racing truly runs in his blood, with his great uncle, the late Aldo Scribante, being a prominent owner in the Eastern Cape. From following racing in the early 70s to now leading in winners, his journey is one marked by dedication and joy.

Andrea is a Chartered Accountant who spent his entire career with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), serving as a partner for 28 years before retiring. Away from racing, he treasures family life and his Italian heritage. With his children living abroad, he and his wife often travel to Europe and the USA. He is also an avid sportsman, still enjoying golf and tennis, and has attended some of the world’s great sporting events, including Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood, the Kentucky Derby, and the Grand National.

When it comes to racing, his passion lies in the sport itself – the history, the champions, the fascinating bloodlines, and the characters, both equine and human. But nothing compares to the thrill of leading in a winner. Among his most treasured racing memories is FireAlley’s victory in the Algoa Cup, a win that carried great local pride. The triumph of Joy and Peace in the EC Derby was another highlight, celebrated alongside syndicate members on course. Earlier career milestones, such as Shine Like a Star’s third place in the KZN Million Sale Race on July Day in 2014, remain vivid in his memory. Another horse that Andrea cherished and which he thinks could potentially have been his best was Foreign Source. He was the East Cape Champion Juvenile of his year and was on his way to Cape Town to contest the Cape Guineas, when his career was sadly cut short by injury.

FireAlley, a horse much loved by all associated with this gelding, recently added to the celebrations by winning two awards at the East Cape Awards, the Champion Older Colt/Gelding and the Champion Polytrack Colt/Gelding awards. Versatile and consistent across distances from 1400m to 2400m, he has brought immense joy to his ownership group. “Winning the awards was most exciting and just reward for the fantastic season he had,” Andrea reflects. “There is a great spirit amongst the partners, and we look forward to defending our Algoa Cup title.” He also acknowledges Cliff do Carmo for securing FireAlley and putting the partnership together, as well as Jacques Strydom and his team for keeping the horse fit and sound.

Looking at the broader South African racing industry, Andrea believes there is a need for greater unity. “We’re too small a country to have two operators running racing, it impacts tote pools and the financial health of the sport. Collaboration is key. At the same time, we need to attract younger people to the game, and syndication is certainly helping to make it more accessible and enjoyable.”

A proud Racehorse Owners Association member since 2001, he reflects warmly on his journey with the ROA. “It’s hard to believe it’s been 24 years. The membership has been most fulfilling – you feel a sense of belonging in the horse racing community.”
With a love for the sport that began as a boy and continues to this day, Andrea embodies what it means to be a true racehorse owner: passionate, loyal, and forever chasing the thrill of the next winner.

We thank Andrea for his continued support and wish him and his racing partners a fantastic season.