Ormond Ferraris -a great trainer
The doyenne of South African racehorse trainers Ormond Ferrraris was the toast of Turffontein on Saturday where he saddled a quartet of winners, from just five runners.
Ferraris took out his trainer’s licence in 1952 as a 20 year old and is one of the most respected and revered proponents of the art of training racehorses in South Africa.
His trainer’s apprenticeship was completed under George Weale (Turffontein), and his first winner was Shenandoah in 1954. His personal racing colours (black, scarlet sash and cap) were taken over from George Weale and they have graced the racetracks of South Africa for over a century.
Ormond has a remarkable record of wins in the SA Oaks (10) and the SA Derby (8). He has won the South African Trainer’s Championship twice.
Youthful Callan Murray rode a double for the Ferraris yard
He recalls Distinctly, Tracey’s Element, St Just and Pretty Border assome of his best of the past. The late Bridget Oppenheimer’s recent shining light, Cherry on the Top (Fillies’ Triple Tiara winner), is a horse that he is on record as suggesting is as good as any of his stars of the past.
On Saturday he could do nothing wrong.
Apprentice Callan Murray rode the first race winner Tender Mist and the cleverly named Krystle Carrington in the seventh, while Karl Zecnher won on the Toreador filly Trading Profit in the second and the fast improving Wesley Marwing booted home former Joey Ramsden runner Marmalady to win the sixth race. Murray ran second in this race on the winner’s stablemate Shawl.
