Former Maine Chance Farms Manager Stanley Bennett recalls having loved horses from before he could walk and was a proud man as he celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday at Avontuur with family and friends.
Stanley Bennett – ’80 and still kicking’ – in his own words!
Stanley, who bred last term’s East Cape Champion 2yo Filly Madame Speaker, was schooled at St Andrews in Grahamstown with legendary TBA Yearling Inspector of almost 40 years standing, John Kramer.
In 1958 he spent a year in England, working 6 months at Sledgemere Stud, a leading yearling establishment. He then worked the balance of the year at Lord Derby’s Woodlands Stud.
They have remained close friends and John attended Stanley’s 80th birthday celebrations.
The Bennett breeding dynasty goes back to his Grandfather Evan, who bred horses for Rand mining magnate Sir Abe Bailey at Grootfontein.
Stanley’s Dad Guy started breeding as E W Bennett and Sons at Poortjie Stud in Colesberg. Guy died young at age 42
Stanley recalls taking his first group of yearlings to the National Sale at Milner Park in 1957.
He was 37 when he joined his father-in-law, the late Bennie van der Merwe at Thornhill Stud in Beaufort West.
In 1980 the partnership that owned Thornhill was dissolved.
The late Graham Beck (second from left) seen with Summerhill’s Micky Goss, Cheryl Goss and another legend in Laurie Jaffee in Dubai some years ago.
It was his lifelong friend John Kramer who told Stanley about Graham Beck taking over Maine Chance with Godfrey Gird.
Stanley got the job and was then sent to Dordrecht – to the Stormberg Stud.
Those were the halcyon days when the Birch Bros were at their peak.
Five years later Stanley moved back to Maine Chance in Robertson
He recalls the iconic Graham Beck consolidated Maine Chance, Noreen Stud (from Granville Gorton) & Highlands (from John Stubbs). They stood great horses like Golden Thatch and Elevation.
Bush Telegraph wins the 1987 Rupert Ellis Brown
Stanley is reluctant to name a special horse – but suggests July winner Bush Telegraph as a standout in his memory.
The son of Jungle Cove was Champion 2yo colt in 1985, Champion 3yo colt in 1986, and won 9 races from 1000 – 2200m, including the Gr1 Smirnoff Plate, the Gr1 Administrators Champion Futurity, the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and the Rothmans July Handicap. He also became the sire of the winners of 117 races.
Stanley says it was a great privilege to be associated with the Beck family.
He retired in 2000 and currently resides in Hermanus with his wife, Ria.
Pathfork champion Madame Speaker
While he doesn’t like to boast about them, he has bred some top horses for his own account – notably ten-time winning stakes performer Sugar Cube Baby, Gr1 winner All Afire, Gr1 performer Beacon Flare and of course, current East Cape Champion Juvenile Madame Speaker (by Pathfork), who was narrowly beaten by top male National Park at her first run as a 3yo last Friday.
Best of health to you Stanley!
How’s this for an Avontuur cake! Stan’s favourite stallion Golden Thatch adorns his birthday treat
