Life Member of the Month – September – Michael Leaf
The Racehorse Owners Association is delighted to feature Michael Leaf as our Life Member for the month of September. His journey through racing has spanned decades, countless memorable horses, more than 190 winners, major successes on the track and an enduring commitment to the sport and the people who make it possible.
Growing up in Durban in the 1960s, he recalls how deeply racing was woven into the fabric of the city. In the build-up to the Durban July, the entire city seemed to come alive, with racing conversation everywhere and family members producing their own fancied runners based on everything from dreams and Fafi numbers to the equine stars of the era.
One of the defining moments of that time was the famous dead-heat between Sea Cottage and Jollify, while Michael’s favourite jockey was the legendary Michael “Muis” Roberts, affectionately known as “The Pope”. His favourite July winner was Yataghan, but another unforgettable memory came at Scottsville, where The Malster overcame a ten-length deficit at the start to win over 1 600 metres under the great Lester Piggott.
It was perhaps inevitable that racing would eventually become more than a spectator sport. After moving to Johannesburg in the late 1970s, Michael continued his fascination with horses, with Wolf Power among the stars capturing his attention. Saturdays at Turffontein soon became a regular feature whenever he was not playing football.
Then, in 1992, while running a garage business alongside his other interests, Michael took the step into racehorse ownership. His first trainer was Chris Erasmus, with the colourful and much-loved Louis Goosen as his assistant. His first horse was a gelding named Castleford, purchased in partnership at a sale. On 26 February 1994, Castleford gave Michael the thrill that every new owner dreams of when he was ridden to victory by Piere Strydom. That first winner proved to be every bit as addictive as Michael describes it. The excitement of seeing your own horse cross the winning line creates an enthusiasm that makes you want to experience it again and again.
But ownership offered Michael much more than raceday excitement. Regular visits to the stables with his family allowed him to learn more about the sport, the horses and the people behind them. Louis Goosen played an important role in developing that interest, and as the years passed, Michael expanded his ownership interests, working with different trainers and racing in centres around the country. Some of his early successes came with Duncan McKenzie in Port Elizabeth and Robbie Sage locally. His favourite jockeys included Gunter Wrogemann and Willy Figueroa.
The first graded success arrived in 2011 when Queen’s Command won the Flamboyant Stakes at Greyville on New Year’s Day. That victory inspired Michael to attend the 2011 Magic Millions Sale in Australia, where he made his first overseas purchases.
Among them was a Redoute’s Choice-bred horse whom he named Wylie Hall, a name with a very personal connection, taken from the street in Durban where Michael grew up. Wylie Hall would go on to become the defining horse of Michael’s racing career.
Over the years, Michael expanded his string and raced horses across South Africa, as well as in Australia and Singapore. He enjoyed success in a number of graded races, but Wylie Hall provided both his greatest sense of achievement and one of his most difficult moments in racing. In 2014, Wylie Hall crossed the line first in the Vodacom Durban July, giving Michael what should have been one of the proudest moments of his ownership journey. The subsequent objection and boardroom decision, however, saw him lose the race in circumstances Michael still regards as deeply disappointing.
Nevertheless, Wylie Hall’s place in Michael’s racing story remains undeniable, and the horse became synonymous with one of the most memorable chapters of his career. Alongside Wylie Hall, Michael was fortunate to race a host of notable horses, including Bishops Bounty, Can You Feel It, Captain Courteous, Chili Con Carne, Drifting Dusk, Here Comes Billy, Lineker, MLJet, Myfunnyvalentine, One Direction and Virgo’s Babe. His horses accumulated more than 190 victories, with success across a variety of graded races and two Ready to Run feature races. Among the trainers who played an important role in his journey were Weiho Marwing, Justin Snaith, Lucky Houdalakis and Gareth van Zyl.
Michael’s contribution to racing, however, extends well beyond his own horses. He has played an active role in the administration and development of the industry, serving as a trustee of the former Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust under Colin Dunn, ably supported by Alison McKenzie, and serving on the Owners and Trainers Association before the establishment of Phumelela under the chairmanship of Bruce Gardiner. He later served on the Racing Trust under Chris van Niekerk and spent several years involved with the Racing Association, eventually serving as its chairman before stepping down in April 2020. Through these roles, Michael gained an appreciation for the many facets of the racing industry and, importantly, for the people whose livelihoods depend upon it.
For him, some of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the racing fraternity have been the friendships forged along the way and the opportunity to support initiatives benefiting grooms, work riders, jockeys and retired horses. He remembers with particular admiration the contribution of Mary Slack and the many people who have worked tirelessly to support the industry and its people. Michael also recalls an unexpected connection within the racing community in a strong contingent of supporters of his beloved football club, Tottenham Hotspur. He was surprised to discover such an enthusiastic Spurs following so far from London, with fellow supporters including Paul Lafferty, Joey Soma, Greg Bortz and Mike Wittstock.
In 2016, Michael ventured into breeding, using Wylie Hall as the foundation of the operation. Although the stallion produced winners, including graded performers, he later became infertile. The COVID-19 pandemic brought another difficult chapter. Like many involved in racing, Michael faced enormous uncertainty about the future of the industry and ultimately sold a substantial portion of his horses and breeding stock. Today, however, he looks at the resurgence of South African racing with renewed optimism. He has been encouraged by the commitment of individuals such as Mary Slack, Greg Bortz and Owen Heffer, whom he credits with helping to take up the mantle and contribute to the revival of the industry.
He also has great admiration for John Freeman, particularly for his encyclopedic knowledge of the breeding industry and his continued commitment to the industry that can sometimes be overlooked.
Now retired, Michael continues to breed on a very small scale, with the invaluable support of Peter and Jenny Blyth at Clifton Stud. And while his involvement may be more modest than it once was, one thing has certainly not changed: his love for racing remains undiminished. Outside of racing, Michael has enjoyed a distinguished career in the corporate and business world. He served as secretary general of the largest black business organization, was CEO of a major empowerment company, chaired the Tsogo Sun Group and was involved in a number of significant business initiatives, particularly during the period leading up to South Africa’s democratization.
We thank Michael for his longstanding support to the industry, his passion for the sport through his ownership and administration contributions and wish him many years of continuous love for horse racing.
