Not a day of fine dining in a stylish lounge or a selection of fine wines. It’s a normal working day and only Tellytrack between us and a filly called Umgido.
She was purchased in 2009 by Frank Soru Snr and Frank Soru Jnr for R100 000.00. It was a rare father and son team. With no advice or any vet inspections, she was bought for only her looks.
Her career started off to a good second place at the Rahilly stables. Soon after that she showed no interest in what she was bought to do.
With no fireworks and unstable results, we decided to rather call it a day in the horseracing industry. Along came Gareth Pepper. His persistence and good spirit made us inquisitive and we took the opportunity to appoint him as a manager over only a few horses.
2012 Arrived and we started off with fresh moves and fit horses. Thirty days into the New Year and Gareth and our family started to reap the success. Umgido run through the finishing line as a solid winner and made us gasp for breath.
Sean Miller lost his father not so long ago but the knowledge he gained from his father was obvious so see. Sean has taken pride in his work and its showing. The now mother and son team has arrived.
A week later Mr. Goosen and Lauren teamed up with Pierre Strydom, and Luxurious Jet kept us on the edges of our chairs. LJ crossed the line with Pierre clinging onto her saddle as the saddle came loose. Master Jockey Pierre Strydom did just enough to pull off the win. It is certainly a race to be considered as Race of the month.
Came 30 January 2012, Umgido had a tough task to do. Gareth Pepper reminded us of his promise and he felt confident. His word “This is what I want for your family Mrs. Soru, winners and enjoyment”
Nether less to say Umgido did a fine job and ended like a champion. It took good advice from Gareth Pepper, guts from young Sean Miller, an excellent ride from Donovan Mansour and a never-giving-up-owner Franco Soru to bring back the desire to keep going. Not taking anything away from Louis Goosen and Pierre Strydom, it’s the masters against the youngsters. We should call for a race like this.
by email – Elsie Soru
