Third place on the East Cape trainers log is no mean feat.
Henk Steenkamp writes that with the big and powerful stables of Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith dominating the EC championship for many years, one must start thinking about a special award for third place.
For this past season Sharon Kotzen would be a very deserving winner of such an award as she was way clear of the rest in that third spot.
Sharon Kotzen (Pic- Pauline Herman)
“Yes, I am very happy with my season, especially if you take the COVID-19-challenges in consideration,” Kotzen said.
She is quick to point out that she is not prepared to receive all the accolades for a successful season.
“A lot of work is being done behind the scenes. Gregory (her husband) deals with the owners and the accounts, and my staff has been really good.
“I take my own extra precautions regarding COVID-19 and the staff has been doing really well with keeping their masks on when possible, sanitizing and keeping a social distance.
“There were some lean times during the season but every stable experience that. You do get worried when that happens but just have to keep on working as usual.
“You have to be patient because the worst thing you can do is to change things. Just keep freshening the horses up and the wheel will turn again,” Sharon explained.
Kotzen and jockey Louis Mxothwa form a very strong combination at Fairview and this is set to continue (as soon as Mxothwa’s suspension is over).
“Yes, I will be his Fairview stable. It is a good partnership and if you take a look at my best performing horses, they were all ridden by Louis. He (Louis is Cape Town-based) spent both lockdowns in the Eastern Cape.”
Kotzen is proud of what the women trainers are achieving at Fairview.
“And also in KwaZulu-Natal. The women trainers are doing very well and if you look at this year’s Vodacom Durban-July-winner, there was also a lady trainer (Michelle Rix) involved.
“One can’t think of racing as a man’s game anymore, the playing field has been levelled.
“Hopefully we will see some more female jockeys coming through. The challenge for a female rider to be successful is to be physically and mentally strong.”
One of Sharon’s goals for the new season is to win a Listed race (last season Seeking Wisdom nearly got there with second place in the Algoa Cup).
Her other goals are to keep her owners happy and improve on the numbers of winners.
“Last season there were 52 winners and the previous season 35. I just want my stats, my winning strike rate, to be better.”
Today’s racemeeting has been switched to the polytrack – first race is off at
Sharon Kotzen’s runners today – the first is off at 11h55:
- Race1: Crystal Sky
- Race 4:Mousey On Over
- Race 7: First Street
- Race 9:Twice To Heaven
