Owner of the month – May – Nadine Backos
It was a fantastic Highveld Feature Season and Littlemissmillion proved her class by dominating the final leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara on Champions Day. The Racehorse Owners Association is delighted to present Nadine Backos as our Owner of the Month, as we learn more about her passion and dedication to the sport.
With more than twenty horses currently in training and a lifelong connection to the industry, racing has become far more than a hobby, it is a central part of her life and identity, and she has been fortunate to own many horses throughout her journey as an owner. Introduced to horse racing by her father and trainer, Tyrone Zackey, at a young age, Nadine’s love for the industry has only deepened over time. In a journey made even more meaningful by family, Tyrone remains the only trainer she has ever owned horses with, creating a partnership built on shared passion, and unforgettable memories.
The father-and-daughter team enjoyed a great season this year, highlighted by the outstanding success of Littlemissmillion in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks. In a memorable performance, Littlemissmillion defeated Hazy Dazy, who was bidding to complete the coveted Triple Tiara series, a victory that further cemented the season as one to remember for the Zackey stable.
Over the years, Nadine has experienced the highs and heartbreaks that make racing such an emotional sport. Among her most treasured moments was the dramatic near victory in the prestigious Durban July with Smanjemanje, where victory slipped away by the narrowest of margins, a heartbreaking nose defeat in a thrilling “heads up and heads down” finish. Yet alongside that disappointment came the joy of winning the Oaks, a career highlight she describes as one of the most special achievements of her racing journey.
For Nadine, however, racing is about far more than trophies and winning posts. Owning and managing so many horses has given her a deep appreciation for the dedication and hard work that takes place behind the scenes every day. It is the connection with the horses, the people, and the broader racing community that continues to fuel her passion.
Outside of racing, Nadine has built a successful career in business. After obtaining a degree in education, she pursued her entrepreneurial ambitions across several industries. Today, she operates within the coffee industry, running both a coffee truck and a bakery and coffee shop. These businesses reflect her love for hospitality, people, and creating memorable experiences.
That same passion for experiences is something she believes South African racing must embrace more strongly in order to grow and reconnect with audiences. Nadine feels race days should once again become major social occasions, offering entertainment, hospitality, food experiences and markets, fashion, and family-friendly attractions alongside the racing itself.
She is also passionate about modernizing the sport and attracting younger audiences through stronger social media engagement, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and innovative digital platforms. In her view, racing’s future depends on making the sport more accessible, exciting, and relatable to a new generation.
Nadine further emphasizes the importance of supporting owners and breeders, strengthening sponsorship opportunities, improving racecourse facilities and area safety, and continuing to build trust, inclusivity, and professionalism within the industry. She adds that clean facilities, good food and beverage offerings, safe environments and excellent service all play a massive role in bringing people back. Creating more exposure for the horses and personalities is important as people connect with stories. Promoting trainers, jockeys, owners, stable staff, and the horses themselves can help create emotional investment from the public.
She added: “Being part of the Racehorse Owners Association has been a meaningful part of my journey in racing. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to experience both the highs and challenges that come with being an owner, and the association has played an important role in giving owners a voice within the industry. Racing has given me some of the most unforgettable moments of my life, and I’m grateful to still be part of an industry filled with passion, resilience, and incredible people. I believe the future of South African racing can be very bright if we continue working together, supporting owners, and embracing new ideas for growth”.
We thank Nadine for the warm coffee that we always look forward to at the BSA sales grounds, as well as her longstanding and continued passion for the sport. We wish the Backos and Zackey Families many more successes along their journeys.
