Life Member of the Month – August – Peter Botes
The Racehorse Owners Association is thrilled to present Peter Botes as our Life Member of the Month in the August edition of ROA Today.
Although Peter grew up in Gauteng, his schooling took him to KwaZulu-Natal during the latter stages of high school, where he was regularly exposed to the magic and tradition of the Durban July. “Even in my younger years we would all pick a horse from the kitty and gather around to watch who came out on top,” he recalls. It was, however, his father, Dan, who truly opened the door to the world of racing for him. An avid racing enthusiast, Dan introduced Peter to the sport after he left school, taking him to the races almost every Saturday. “Dad would take me to the races almost every Saturday, mainly frequenting ‘Turffies’, but Gosforth Park and Newmarket were still around in those days.”
Like many racing enthusiasts, Peter also developed his own traditions on race day. His favourite bet was the first-race quartet, which he believed regularly offered good returns, a belief that, he says, was often proven right.
Among Peter’s many racing memories, one stands out above the rest: 1995, when his father’s horse, Teal, achieved the remarkable feat of winning all three of Durban’s major features – the SA Guineas, the Daily News 2000 and, ultimately, the coveted Durban July or formally known as the Rothmans July Handicap. “That was one of my favourite racing memories. Did we have fun!”
The experience only deepened Peter’s passion for ownership. Having already owned a couple of horses by that stage, seeing his father’s horse achieve such a memorable treble inspired him to continue following in his footsteps.
Over the years, Peter has owned a number of horses outright, shared in partnerships and even bred a horse himself. His ownership journey has included:
- Casada – Alec Laird
- All American – Alec Laird
- After Party – Alec Laird
- Think Lateral (shares) – Weiho Marwing
- Royal Performer (shares) – Weiho Marwing
- Doppio Oro (shares) – Candice Bass
- Viva le Bleu (shares) – Candice Bass
- WhatAStar (shares) – Candice Bass, who is still racing
And, as any owner will attest, that list is only part of the story. For Peter, the real reward has been the experiences, friendships and memories that come with being involved in the sport.
Peter has also enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the Racehorse Owners Association and appreciates the important role the organization plays within the industry. “The ROA is an association that has always upheld the integrity of racing whilst aligning themselves between Owners and Trainers.”
As Peter gradually follows the next chapter of his journey into retirement, his passion for racing remains firmly intact. He continues to enjoy his “Geegee’s” alongside his lovely wife, Lucia, while making time for two other favourite pastimes, golf and cooking. His daughter, Micaela, has now “left the nest” and is enjoying a career as an accounting specialist, giving Peter a little more time to pursue his own interests and, naturally, his dreams in racing.
While experience may teach an owner many things, there is one lesson that Peter knows better than most: in racing, no matter how much you plan, you always need a little bit of luck.
We thank Peter for his longstanding dedication and support to the ROA and wish him the very best for the years ahead.
