Michael Azzie
With horses you’ve got to dream, haven’t you? If you stop dreaming, you’ll never realise much. You’ve got to keep dreaming – and work hard.
1st October 2015
No Comments
With horses you’ve got to dream, haven’t you? If you stop dreaming, you’ll never realise much. You’ve got to keep dreaming – and work hard.
It felt like when I watched the Olympic Games and watched South Africa swim. You cheer for them to come home and that’s what I felt like for me.
We understand the game well enough, so we’ve got our feet on the ground. You don’t anticipate trouble, but you’ve got to get to the race well and sound. He wouldn’t be first horse to scratch because something went wrong, so we’ve just got to hope and pray that he stays well until then
As they say, a change is as good as a holiday and judging by his results, Cape trainer Glen Puller may just be on to something.
Vaughan has firm ideas on horses and how they should be raised and is not afraid to put his money where his mouth is – or to take it on the chin when things don’t go his way.
Racing’s old guard have seen a lot of things come and go and marvelled at surviving the lot, knowing that a good life is measured by simple things – a good woman, a good friend, a good horse and a good dog.
My life has been extraordinary thanks to horses. I’ve bred them, sold them, raced them, managed studs all over the world – it’s been a wonderful life. I must thank the Lord for giving me all these opportunities. And I’m still learning – that’s the wonderful thing about the horse – you always keep learning.
Avontuur Estate’s Michael Taberer chats to us about the farm’s history, how they bought Oratorio and their plans for the future.
Behind the affable exterior is a committed, dedicated professional with a ferocious work ethic
“South Africa produces some of the world’s best jockeys. And up until three months ago any one of the eight top jocks on the log were major opponents. Sure, it may well have come down to a two-horse race between myself and S’manga Khumalo now. And I am honoured and privileged, whatever happens. But I don’t intend resting on my laurels just yet.”
After a record-shattering 2023/24 season, reigning SA Champion jockey Richard Fourie continues to rewrite the history books and broke the East Cape season winner record at Fairview on Friday
Sensational six winners at the Vaal on Thursday for former SA Champion!
Was the last galloper to win a race on SA soil with a seriously hefty impost Buddy Maroun’s champion Golden Loom, aka ‘Goofy’, who lumbered 65 kgs under Anton Marcus to beat Fov’s Favourite 26 years ago?
The Ndoro Stud-bred son of Wilgerbosdrift’s War Front stallion Fire Away, Alec Laird-trained Fire Attack dominated the 2025 Highveld Feature Season Awards
