The two men from Johannesburg walked in to the hastily arranged meeting at Flamingo Park.
Months of uncertainty and rumour crashed in a screeching head-on collision as they said Kimberley would close on 9 December.
They rattled off a few numbers, looked slightly apologetic and shrugged their shoulders.
That was it. A community wiped out in a matter of minutes.
The mostly salt-of-the-earth Kimberley racing community is still reeling in shock after Phumelela and the Racing Association, quite matter-of-factly, pulled the plug on careers and lives a week ago.
Dream in the dust – the late Harry & Bridget Oppenheimer
Decades of tradition, a dream initiated by Harry Oppenheimer, blood, sweat and tears. It all went up in smoke – and all they got from the bearers of the tragic news, Patrick Davis and Larry Wainstein, was three months and some unrealistic offers of compensation to sort themselves and their lives out.
These are sensitive days. Few are prepared to go on record – and we know that bad things happen to people who express their opinion in this game. But how much worse can it actually get?
Larry Wainstein – did most of the talking (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
“One gets the sense that they have hardly applied their minds. Wainstein did most of the talking – why? The RA doesn’t have a strong representation down here. And shouldn’t they have been the balancing act with their member’s interests when it came to negotiations with Phumelela? The irony is, neither of the messengers arrived with a pen or paper. They said the numbers were in their heads. That’s insensitive arrogance personified,” suggested an unimpressed local.
The alleged loss figures of R23,5 million per annum are being questioned as inflated and ‘convenient’ as no supporting documentation or a presentation was provided to back up the story.
“The security here costs R60 000 per month. The bus costs R35 000. That’s just two sets of expenses that could be better managed. But we are not privvy to anything. Zero consultation. What happened to the constitution, the law of the land and plain common courtesy?” asked an angry owner.
The rumour mill about the track’s closure has been circulating for many months.
Trainer Leon Lotz approached the Sporting Post months ago as he was wary of purchasing more horses.
They say that Wainstein told them a few months ago it wouldn’t happen ‘if I could help it.’
“That’s the real pain of it. They never came to talk to us. They never said things are chronic. They never asked for input, suggestions or for a solution that was workable. They were walking around here at the Kimberley Festival on 3 August as if we were looking forward to a big season ahead. Now it’s a half-baked poorly thought out gun-to-the-head ransom demand and there is three months left to rip out our roots – our children – our homes,” added the owner, who said he would be relinquishing his colours.
He also questioned the complete absence of the National Horseracing Authority in the process.
“The NHRA are the custodians of the sport. Should they not exercise a policing oversight role? This is a logistical and PR time-bomb of enormous impact. Shooting hundreds of horses as a result of a grossly mismanaged racing industry is going to look great on the front page of the Sunday papers. I’m sure new owners and sponsors will be queueing up. It’s a shocking indictment on the fatcats who drive the BMW’s and live on expense accounts. I’m starting to understand why ordinary people resort to radical action. Wait till the ANC and EFF hear what the industry has done to honest, hardworking people.”
Diamonds were discovered close on 150 years ago in the Northern Cape.
Sailor Malan
The late Harry Oppenheimer’s great passion for horseracing, coupled with his support for the Chief Race Steward of the then Griqualand West Racing Club, ‘Sailor Malan’, saw him donate the land in 1957 – the racecourse still used today after undergoing a multimillion rand refurbishment in 2005 and being renamed, Flamingo Park.
The closure of racecourses, while a symptom of the collateral damage of the economic realities facing the sport, is a naturally emotive issue.
And with Clairwood the most recent casualty in 2014, following the likes of Arlington, Bloemfontein, Newmarket and Germiston, the demise of the only sand track in the country and a vital cog in the wheel of equine excellence – or a lack of it – will be a blow.
“I was shocked to hear they are closing Flamingo Park at the end of this year,” trainer Leon Lotz told the Sporting Post in June, after picking up on the track rumblings that have been doing the rounds for some time.
Lotz, who conceded that he was not the top trainer in the Northern Cape, or anywhere else for that matter, said that he felt that the closure would have a knock on effect on the ‘food chain’ for the breeders and owners as a start.
His old owners in Hoopstad wanted to renew their colours, but they decided not to and just handed him the horses that he bought recently.
“Kimberley is an alternative for horses that are not good enough to race in the bigger centres. It’s an option for owners to earn with horses that don’t make the grade elsewhere. As smaller trainers we purchase at the second-hand markets like the Shongweni Sale and the Super Sale at Greyville. We may be at the very bottom of the ladder, but Kimberley is an important cog in the wheel.”
He is 100% correct – KZN trainers are already asking, where to now, for their polytrack slow-coaches who did so well on the sand.
Looking at his personal position, Lotz said that his farm was within striking range of both Flamingo Park and Fairview, but that the latter was much stronger.
“I was looking at the options and have spent considerable cash relative to my personal budget in the past few months and had intended to go and bid on a few horses at Greyville in June. I decided not to put a noose round my neck, given this news,” he added.
Lotz also made the point that since Stipendiary Steward David Rahilly had been permanently based in the Northern Cape, the centre was being strictly policed and professionally managed.
While Flamingo Park racing cannot match betting turnovers achieved on a Monday in the bigger racing centres, the point made by Lotz that it is a strategic component in the SA horseracing economy is fair comment.
Trainer Jarett Rugg says he is one of the ‘luckier guys’.
At the age of 37 he doesn’t have a wife and kids to worry about.
Jarett Rugg – sleepless nights (photo: JC Photos)
“I took over from my late Dad’s cousin Duncan McKenzie two years ago. This is a major shock. We have all existed from month to month here – but life has been good. Now I suffer sleepless nights and headaches. Duncan has offered to help me at Fairview. And we have been given six months rent-free there. But I am worried – I only have 33 horses. I may have to leave some behind. I will have to up my keep costs as wages are more expensive on the coast. My owners have pledged their support,” he said.
A born-and-bred local, reigning champion conditioner Cliffie Miller said on the SP comments platform that this was a very sad time.
Lifetime of love – WGC “Cliffie’ Miller
“I have lived my life and given everything to this place for 43 years – now it has come to this. Easy to say we must move, but some of us have property that’s paid for – and we can’t just pack up and go . Will the operator help towards a new property seeing that they uprooted me? We have families living on the property, with kids – where to now? All the horses can’t go to the other centres – must we kill them for the sake of survival? We can’t do that, I’m sorry. But if we now all of a sudden are running at that loss why did this not happen earlier?. We asked in an email not even a month ago about the rumours – but they were in denial about it. We must pray that somebody out there sees our plight and comes to the rescue for the only sand track in the country. I can only pray to God for guidance.”
The real victims – the horses and the people who love them
Emmie La Grange, who is assistant to her husband Corrie Lensley – they got married at Flamingo Park – said she was deeply concerned about the impact on the families and the community – with HIV prevalent – the 280 odd horses, and all the cats and dogs that made up the colourful community.
The Lensley yard is one of the few to employ female Grooms.
Emmie is worried what happens now as females with children are unlikely to be able to move to the coast or Vaal.
The Lensley family – where to now?
“Our staff are our family. I help the children with their homework. We put plasters on their feet. We have one little chap who goes to a model ‘C’ school here with our help. What happens now? This is a unique situation as the staff and their families live on the premises.”
Corrie, who says that he could probably have 20% of his current string running in a stronger centre – but not necessarily winning races – says that behind the mines and the government, he felt that horseracing was probably the third biggest provider of employment in the region.
Workriders Japie Bessel and Maplaas Salman supported by Lensley Racing’s staff
“The local co-op stock all our feed – they employ people too. There are other peripheral service providers who will suffer too,” adds former multiple champion trainer Corrie.
He lamented the devastating reality of the majority of the horses having to be culled.
Flamingo Park is their home – they face an uncertain future now
“The sport-horse market here is limited. One can sit for months looking for a home for two horses. Now flooding the market with hundreds of horses could be catastrophic,” he says sadly.
How was this tragedy allowed to happen?
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31 comments on “How Did It Happen?”
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Editor
Dayalan Naidoo
Jurgens Wolmarans
There have already been some suggestions as to how to keep Flamingo Park going, having more racing there, racing on Fridays, weekends. I like betting on the horses at Flamingo Park because I recognise horse I’ve followed in the major centres and who haven’t cracked it but at Flamingo they are stars. I hope a way can be found to keep it going, shouldn’t the wishes of Harry Oppenheimer be respected and honoured?
Not sorry to say this but Pinocchio is named this for a reason.
I’m ashamed that he ever attended the same school I did. Albeit briefly
Deploring to say the least!! They are killing the industry one track at a time. I can only pray for my friends that are stuck in this horrid situation and hope they will get the backing they need to carry on. Very Sad day in the history of racing.
Please put the horses needing to be homed on a Face Book page , so that they stand a chance of finding someone , there are people looking
Did Mr. Jayes not once, call the Racing Association( Larry Wainstein)
Phumelela’s handmaiden?
They have destroyed racing ,the expect people with families and staff and there families just to pack up and move with 3 months notice and what about all the horses that cannot make it at stronger centre’s , that what Flamingo park was there for, they are destroying everything including the breeding side and so many owners will not be renewing there colours.It is time for change and I mean getting rid of the bunch of (*edited)than are running racing and only worry about there pockets, how have all the people that have racing at heart are standing by while they destroy our beloved game.
Get rid of Wainstein and Davis and send sensible people to Kimberley to save the course. I hope Sailor Malan’s ghost chase them day and night!
It is disgusting the way horse racing is run here in SA.People talk about xenophobia look at the RA and you see xenophobia of note.No wonder the industry that quite a few people love is gone to a bag of Sh1t.We are on the way to Borrowdale
How can Mr Larry Wainstein and Mr Davis go to Kimberly with out the supporting documents and of course where was the NHA Mr Moodley. Why did the say it was only rumours in August and barely 3 weeks later they say that’s it we are closing Kimberly.
Thought Mr Wainstein is there to look after the RA members intrests and not be a puppet for Pumallela. Mr Wainstein seems to have no back bone all mouth and no action.
We would all like to have a look at the stats with regards to Kimberly
So sad, bleak Xmas for a lot of people that cannot move ?
Interesting background article on Flamingo.
Thank You, Nice Jellyfish Pic that I printed for my Dart Board?
This BEE nonsense is what causes this strife in every business that’s run in this country as they only care about themselves. Vee Modley you are draging horseracing to the dumps! Absulute disgrace
I think the authority here are shortsighted, flamingo park suffers because it’s mainly run on Mondays,if it’s moved to Wednesday’s, Thursdays or Fridays, of course it will be better marketed,same as P.E it was slow then it started doing good because of being run on Fridays.l hope someone is listening
“It’s a shocking indictment on the fatcats who drive the BMW’s and live on expense accounts.” There is the answer. In that world those that live in it don’t give a sod about anything else but ROI. In the Listed Corporate World an Investor enjoying the high life couldn’t care less about others.
Oh Larry Larry Larry remember when you went down to Durban and tried to push your weight around as such you were cut short literally. I’m surprised to say the least that you actually walked out of that meeting.He does not deserve to be in the position that he is in currently. What did the Racing Association actually do for Flamingo Park that warranted him to be the bearer of this news to the families of Flamingo Park.
Can someone explain how RA and Phumelela and so interlinked that Mr Wainstein was sent to do Phumelela’s dirty job ? How does their governance structures work ? And most of all what benefit does Larry and his cabal bring to racing as a whole ?
Come on Phumelela the racing public deserves a proper response ?
Brad, that single relationship and the answer thereto is where the gum abscess lays.
I reckon that relationship is the single most damaging & toxic factor that has led to the erosion of the racing product.
Well done for pointing out the poison, Sir !
If people like Larry weinstein stop wearing a new designer suit for every single stupid event then places like Flamingo would continue with business. Their fat paychecks to support their lifestyle is what is killing the sport of kings. But then again sport of Kings is the right term for it cos the hierarchy in the game act like Kings
Mr editor thanks the computaform uk is back to normal and I’m backing the winners like mad. One more request why doesnt winning form publish the barrier trial form of horses in the KZN winning worm
The man with many hats now carries a sickle…..
Dear Ed the silence of Phumelela and the RA is deafening.
Difficult reality to defend, Avril?
To what extent does the Big P fund Zim and Kenya racing?
The Kimberley Racing Community ought to seek an interdict against Phumelela alternatively mobilize the unions as this amounts to constructive dismissal for the hundreds of employees. Phumelela is a bully and needs to be taken on and taught a lesson. Also, the RA members should remove Larry from his position of power as his conduct is a simple dereliction of duty(amounts other things).
Wherever there is controversy, Larry Wainstein is involved.
Larry Wainstein became the RA Chair in 2008 and has stayed on since then. Today he is the RA CEO. He has single handedly run horse racing into the ground.
Has horse racing improved under the reign of Larry Wainstein? No
Has the lifestyle and finances of Larry Wainstein improved? Yes
Has the membership of the RA increased under the reign of Larry Wainstein? No
Has the salary and perks of Larry Wainstein increased? Yes
Was it fair for Phumelela to increase nom and dec fees from owners to get more money for the RA? No
Did Larry wainstein need the increase of nom and dec fees so that his over R3million annual salary could be paid without problem? Yes
Is Larry Wainstein responsible for the RA and its members losing over R100 million in 2 years by buying Phumelela shares when they should not have and the RA was warned against it? Yes
Larry Wainstein needs to stay in control for about another year. The vultures circling can after its fall pick up the bits and pieces left of horse racing.
Rian du plessis went. Jooste and Van niekerk left. Why hasn’t Larry Wainstein departed?
ED, If possible can you get us an answer…..not sure from whom…you might struggle….
Paul Kruger. Waarom word die nasate van Mnr.en Mev. Oppenheimer nie betrokke gemaak om te poog om dit wat hulle voorvaders ontwikkel het voort te sit nie. Het hulle nie nog steeds belange in die wedrenbedryf nie. Dit behoort ‘n eer en ‘n voorreg te wees om op so ‘n nalatenskap voort te bou.
Phumelela was pushing to run the Greek horse racing tote.Did they get the tender? If they did, in a couple years the Greeks will be saying πώς συνέβη
Beste Paul. Baie Goeie Afrikaans ? Inderdaad, Mnr en Mev Oppenheimer, ikione, se Dogter en Klein Dogter is albei gesoute telers en einaars. Mev Mary Slack en Mev Jessica Jel van Wilgerbosdrift en Mauritzfontein.
Of hulle vroue alleen Flamingo kan red, weet Ek nie, maar baie goeie gedagte. Groete
Charles my Greek is a bit rusty, but you’re saying ?
“Greek Tote will close soon” ?
“πώς συνέβη” = how did it/this happen
the term, “re μαλάκα ” is optional
If Vee Moodley and the other fatcats at Phumelela, (who have done so much damage to SA racing, and their shareprice, resign there will be plenty.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH -SAVE KIMBERLEY