Owner of the month – January – Holmden Long
Racedays are full of surprises, but the 15th of January at the Vaal Racecourse delivered something truly unforgettable. Acting on nothing more than a gut feeling, Holmden Long arrived by helicopter, convinced his horse was ready to shine. Fittingly, Titans of War went on to win a gutsy race, rewarding that instinct in spectacular fashion. Moments after celebrating the victory, Holmden climbed back into the helicopter piloted by his friend and flew home. With such a great start to the new year, the Racehorse Owners Association is delighted to feature Holmden as our Owner of the Month.
Holmden is currently involved in five racehorses, along with one foal on the farm. His ownership experience has been a hands-on one, and he speaks fondly of the consistency and trust that have defined his time in the sport. All of his horses have been, and continue to be, trained by his good friend Roy Magner, with the string stabled at the Randjesfontein Training Centre.
Now in his 11th year of ownership, Holmden was introduced to racing through a friend and began his journey in a partnership with that friend and his two sons. Their first colt, Shortstop, marked the beginning of what would become a deeply rewarding involvement in the sport.
Holmden is one of the directors of his family-owned fire protection company, Tima Projects, which specializes in the design, installation, and commissioning of fire protection systems for a wide range of high-risk operations. Family time and balance are just as important to Holmden. A keen golfer, he enjoys spending most Wednesdays on the golf course with his mates. He also has a passion for entertaining and cooking, and by his own admission, he makes a mean oxtail.
When asked what he enjoys most about racing, Holmden notes that while nothing compares to the thrill of watching your horse win, it is the analytics, planning, and strategy behind the scenes that truly captivate him. He credits Roy Magner as an exceptionally knowledgeable horseman from whom he has learnt a tremendous amount over the years. Above all, the lifelong friendships forged through racing mean more to him than any stake cheque.
Among his many highlights, Holmden recalls that while a first winner is always unforgettable, one moment stands above the rest: seeing Titans of War, the progeny of one of his best mares Dancing Queen, win his maiden race last year at the Big T, this was a victory that filled him with immense pride.
Looking ahead, Holmden believes the South African racing industry should continue striving for increased stakes, particularly in support of the many smaller owners who play a vital role in keeping the sport alive.
Reflecting on his time with the ROA since joining in 2015, Holmden speaks highly of the Association’s commitment to owners. “When I think about the ROA, I think of the support they provide to owners,” he says. “It is a great initiative, and I encourage all owners to be a part of it.”
We thank Holmden for his continued support of the ROA and the sport, and we wish him a wonderful year ahead filled with many more gut feeling winners!
