From Cape Hunt To Met Day

As the sun sets on the 2021/22 Cape Summer Season, with only the Cape Derby meeting to be run on 26 February, there have been some thrilling and impressive performances to talk about.

While Kommetdieding captured the imagination and Jet Dark strutted his stuff, a 5yo gelding called Han Solo has been a hero in his own right to his 80 year old owner-breeder Judy Wintle and the Kotzen clan.

With two seconds in December and a victory on L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate day and WSB Cape Town Met day, Han Solo had the fit as-a-fiddle Judy Wintle celebrating and dancing with her grandchildren on the winner’s podium on both big days.

The great joy for Judy and the Kotzen family is that Granny rode winners in the Cape Hunt meetings 60 years ago in the very same silks worn in 2022 by the gallant Han Solo!

And getting hold of Judy for a two minute chat was no walk in the park either for the Sporting Post – while many of her age are watching Judge Judy or whinging about prices or Eskom loadshedding, the veteran owner-breeder attends daily aqua and gym classes and tells us she is an avid Nordic walker!

A member of the Southey Clan from the Karoo, Judy’s Dad was a sheep farmer while her Uncles were Racehorse Breeders.

“I am a graduate of the Grahamstown Teachers Training College and a primary school teacher by profession,” she explains proudly.

Judy’s immediate family wasn’t horsey but she was ‘mad about horses’ and two of her daughters – Linda and Kathi – followed on .

“Back in the day I used to ride work for Alan Higgins at the Philippi Training Centre. My Cape Hunt horse was Non Skid and I also rode a horse called Final. My youngest daughter Linda (aka ‘Lamb’) became a very successful Cape Hunt rider from the age of 12!”

Judy reminisces and says there were some great personalities from those days. She mentions Chris Smith and also Selwyn Simpson from Emeritus Bloodstock.

While Han Solo is clearly deeply ensconced in her heart, she tells that the sadly ill-fated Vodacom Durban July winner Big City Life is the most famous horse she has bred, and she also gives an honorary mention to a filly called Bombay Duck.

“I remain very much in the game as I have children heavily involved in the equine world. Remembering back, the Cape Hunt Meetings were enormously popular and that platform encouraged many young people to become involved in racing,” says Judy.

She laments that in the days before television coverage we also had huge crowds at racemeetings.

“The highlights then were of course the Met and the Richelieu Guineas. But Han Solo’s win on Met Day was a huge thrill as was his winning on L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Day! It was amazing and a real family affair!” she tells, beaming with pride.

Family and horses, and keeping fit, occupy Judy’s everyday!

“I visit Woodhill Estate often and check up on the mares, foals and horses-in-training with Glen and Kathi. Life is busy – I have ten grandchildren and a great grandchild!” she says with a broad smile.

Well done Judy – you are a shining example of love and passion for a sport under the cosh.

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