The story of a NEWBY

I got introduced to the horseracing game a year and a half ago. I became friends with this nice guy, who turned out to be a trainer of racehorses. Growing up in the Netherlands with showjumping horses, I love these animals, and was interested straight away.

Started the easy (but expensive) way. Punting, visiting Turffontein every week, enjoying the night racing etc. My wive also loves horses, which makes live much easier. I could even drag her along to the track sometimes (live can be so easy... ). And the nice thing of it all, meeting great people! Punters, trainers, breeders, you name it.

A year ago, myself and another friend decided we wanted a horse! But, not having R 100,000+ in our bankaccounts, we had to be patient and wait and see if we could be lucky. Waiting for a opportunity!!! By now I know that even on the various sales horses get sold for much less than this type of money... However I was lucky, a great owner/breeder of horses gave me the opportunity to buy a 50% share in one of his babies! (for a reasonable amount of money) Straight from the farm in Cape Town. I can tell you, I was over the moon and could not wait for the horse to get to Joburg... Let me tell you something now, you have to be very patience in this game...

Finally the horse came to Joburg, and I had to share my wive with a horse. Was she in love with that animal (and still is)! Visiting every day! If it wasn't for the trainer, I had to built a bedroom next to the stables (the trainer told my wive that the horse was not a pet, that it was possible the horse would go somewhere else one day and that it would not be good for her or the horse to be so attached). Now my wive visits once a week, but is still in love with the horse (and even worse, she also likes the other 40 horses in the stable). You try to deal with that....

And then it gets even more exciting, signing the change of ownership papers, choosing the colours for the Jockey (this was the easy part, I am from the Netherlands so we need orange and my wive loves purple). However, and this is also one of the reasons I would like to share this story with you guys, after signing and choosing the colours, the bills are coming... Everyting comes with a price. Changing ownership, a few thousand rand, choosing colours, a few thousand rand. In other words, it's not only the monthly fee you have to pay to the trainer that hits you.

Our baby had its first race in March. SLEEPLESS nights. Why? Excitment, scared that something would happen to the horse (ok, I admit, I am attached to the horse as well). How can the trainer say you also have to see it as a business... I don't have kids, my three dogs and this horse are my kids. How it feels to see your first horse at the track? I was proud! My first horse, in my colours, in the parade ring at Turffontein! The trainer warned us, the horse was doing well, but the distance was way to short 1160m. Francois Herholdt was riding and I got a 7to1 place bet, with 4 places to pay!

Excitement, nervous, the starting gates jump open, your heart stops beating (this is for real), a little bit slow out of the starting gates, but it is running on, getting closer and closer, before I know, I am screaming my lungs out... Is there anything I can do for this horse to help him... It ran fifth, beaten by forest indigo, missed my place bet by 20cm, but who cares, the horse is fine, survived and looks great!!!

I hoped the feelings would change, I don't like those sleepless nights, I don't like to be nervous for a race, I don't want my heart to stop beating when the starting gates open... What can I say, you get value for money, because it does not change, every time the horse has a race, I cannot sleep, I am nervous and my heart does stop beating every single time... Someone told me, if your horse wins a race, you will not be able to describe the feeling and it is better than sex... By now I can tell you, this is so TRUE!!!! The horse had 6 races and won its last 3 in a row... It will run on Gold Cup day, in the race for 2 year olds, and might even be favourite after beating older horses last time out.

YES, my sleepless nights started last week already, I am already nervous and Gold Cup day is till two weeks away.....

This story is for all the people that wonder how it is to own a horse. Please realize there are more costs involved than only your monthly fee to the trainer (change of ownership, colours, vets etc etc). And I do realize I am one of the lucky few to buy a share in a very good horse. But yes, you will deal with feelings and excitement like you have never done before! I wouldn't change it for the world! It is the best thing I have ever done!

Nick

PS The name of the horse: HEART OF A LION

Great story and proves that you dont have to spend millions to find a good one.....

Nick

Great story of ownership - inspirational!

Fantastic stuff - best of luck going forward (tu)

Talented horse that should train on

Nick, you have a nice sort on ur hands...
Should be a huge runner on goldcup day as well

Thanks for the nice comments.

According to the trainer (my very good friend Chesney), the horse is still getting better and better. If he can handle the trip to Durban and track, he should be right there...

We did not sent him for Durban July day, to avoid to much travelling and to not take any risks. This is his race!

Yes Nick these highs take away all the pain and lows in the game(tu)

Great story and all the best for the Premier's Champion Stakes. (tu)

Great story Dutchman! I'm sure you'll have lots of clan members shouting your horse home on Gold Cup day.
Btw...you have a really decent youngster carrying your colours...hope it wins!

Just GREAT to read your story. After many years in the game, all I can ask is that you pm me immediately you find a cure for those sleepless nights, because I havent yet....and actually, I probably dont want that to change !

I wish you all of the success in racing, to match your passion !

all the best and welcome to the forum..