Andre Kirsten

condolences to the family

Condolances to the family! Very sad indeed! My he rest in peace!

Can we confirm it was swine flu, That caused his heart attack?

From TABONLINE


POPULAR Vaal trainer Andre Kirsten passed away in a Klerksdorp hospital on Monday night after a severe heart attack at the weekend.

Kirsten is said to have contracted swine flu last week which brought him down with such a force that doctors in a Potchefstroom clinic, where he was first admitted, had to fight for his life on Friday. They managed to break his fever and things were looking up, but the heart attack followed and he was transferred to a facility in Klerksdorp, where his situation deteriorated.

Kirsten trained at the Vaal for roughly 15 years and had several top horses including Hidcote Ridge, dual Jubilee Handicap winner E-Fuel and July and his stalwart Catmandu, one of the best horses in the land and a Summer Cup and Durban July hopeful.

Tributes and sympathies are pouring in for a quiet man who left his mark on the industry. Kirsten will be sorely missed and the management and staff of Phumelela Gaming & Leisure extend their sympathies to his family and friends.

Condolences to family and friends, RIP.

RIP AK

Sad news, condolences to family and friends

Very sad!..the hospitals are having a helluva time with this flu..operations are significantly down and masks are now worn by all personell even in the wards

Getting a shot of Tamiflu is a must..and if you get flu no matter how strong you need to have blood tests done immediately

Condolences to Andre and his family and friends..a wonderful man softly spoken and a great training talent.

I heard on Saturday that Andre had been hospitalised with swine flu but this is shocking. A nicer man you could not wish to meet and very humble even in victory.

My condolences to his family and friends.

A big shock indeed. Condolences to the family & friends.

Condolences to family and friends . Good man , big heart , huge loss . RIP

Funeral is on Friday.

Trainer believed to have died from swine flu


A SOUTH AFRICAN trainer has died after contracting what is believed to be swine flu.

Andre Kirsten, 56, who trained at The Vaal near Johannesburg, fell ill with a high fever last week and was admitted to a clinic. He was later transferred to a hospital in Klerksdorp and he died on Sunday evening after suffering a heart attack that morning.

His widow, Cecile, said on Wednesday: "The doctors thought it was swine flu but they are still doing tests, so we don't yet know for sure.

"It's so sad. Andre's whole life was horses and he was passionate about them."

Kirsten took out a licence 15 years ago after working as an electrician in the mining industry. The best horses he trained were the dual Jubilee Handicap winner E-Fuel and Catmandu, who won five times and ran in a string of top races including the Durban July and the J & B Met.

His wife does not intend taking over the stable and has arranged a meeting of the owners on Monday to decide what they wish to do with their horses.