Former Milnerton Course Manager and Cape Starter Peter Petterson celebrates his 90th birthday today with Elaine, his wife of almost 65 years, at their home in Plattekloof.
Described as a gentleman of the Lionel Howes and Eddie Seymour vintage by Cape Trainer Peter Wrensch, Peter Petterson worked in horseracing for many years and will be known to the more senior age group amongst us.
Peter was born in Cape Town on 3 February 1931, and grew up in Claremont as one of six children.
He spent time in Tanganyika as a young man and married Elaine (neè Gorton), daughter of Stanley & Phyllis Gorton, on 17 October 1956.
Going strong – almost 65 years later!
They lived in Bonnievale before heading to Kitwe, Zambia. Stanley’s stable was taken over by Peter Kannemeyer in the late 1960’s.
Peter and Norma had four children, and three grandchildren, with one great granddaughter.
Daughter Adrienne is resident in the USA, while Howard and Fiona live in the UK.
Their son Guy, a popular figure in local racing and squash circles, sadly passed away suddenly in Cape Town on 19 October 2020.
In a long working career, Peter was employed at Heinrich Syndicate brewery which made Chibuku Beer. He also trained a horse called Filibuster. Ronnie Paterson (who became a close friend) was his jockey.
He played polo in Kitwe with lifelong friends and brothers, Ralph & Roy Rixon. He lived in Zambia around 1958 until 1966.
Norma and Peter today
On returning to the Cape in the mid-sixties, he lived in Milnerton and worked at Milnerton Race Course as Course Manager and a Starter in later years.
We thank Peter Wrensch for facilitating this happy news and we join the racing industry in wishing Peter Petterson every strength on this milestone and in the years ahead.
