Tanie Tilly – 58 Years Of Racing And Going Strong

An Ouma, an Owner, a Mom

Tilly Strydom, the mother of Fairview-based trainer Jacques Strydom, is not only a mom but also a very valuable owner in the yard.

She became involved in horseracing back in 1963 and still enjoys the excitement and rewards the sport can dish up, like the recent award to Beneficiary as the East Cape Polytrack Horse of the Year (fillies & mares).

Days before masks! Tilly with Henk Steenkamp and her son Piere after the 2016 Vodacom Durban July victory with The Conglomerate

Henk Steenkamp writes that it is always good to see Tilly’s friendly face at the races and she has some wonderful stories to tell about her ex-husband Hekkie, her sons Pieré and Jacques, and her grandson Kyle, all of them household names in South African racing.

“I am very involved with Jacques’s stable. He has a small stable and works very hard looking after, and caring for the horses entrusted to him,” Tilly said.

“Last season he finished fourth on the East Cape trainers log. I am very proud of his achievements and it was a great moment when we were awarded the trophy for Beneficiary.”

Tilly owns the Philanthropist mare in partnership with Jacques and the Money Talks Syndicate.

“Jacques has trained many successful horses like the stayers Me Tarzan, Artic Fleece, Palm King and King Castle, and also Surfin’ USA and Gogetthesheriff.

“Currently Port Key and Black Ball are two horses in the stable that I am excited about.”

According to Tilly she got herself into trouble in her early days of racing.

“I met Hekkie (former jockey and also a Fairview-trainer) in 1963 when he was an apprentice jockey. Hekkie qualified as a jockey in 1964 and we got married the next year.

“One afternoon I was standing next to the late Andy Smith when Hekkie rode a horse. As the horses were going down to the start, Andy, also a jockey then, told his friend that Strydom will never be able to hold the horse.

“Not realising who he was, I was quick with a chirp. Sir, if you could ride the horse better, go get onto the horse and go ride it.

“Andy was supposed to ride the horse, however because the horse pulled so much he did not want to ride it.

“Naturally he went and told Hekkie about the cheeky woman. Yes, I was in trouble.

“Hekkie became a trainer in 1978 and I was the owner of Full Swing, the winner of the Settlers Gold Cup in 1981.

“Yes, I have so many exciting days at the races. I am glued to the television set when my sons or grandson participate on the day.”

Pieré is widely regarded as one of the best jockeys South Africa has ever had and there are too many highlights for Tilly to mention.

“At one meeting he rode the Pick Six. He had seven winners on the day, it was just one winner after another.

“Then there was the nail biting win on JJ The Jet Plane in Hong Kong, his July wins, his Met win. I am always very proud and excited to watch my eldest son in action.

“Jacques’s son Kyle also joined my racing clan – he is Ouma se hart se punt!

“Again, so proud of him, winning the national Jockey Apprentice title for the season 2020/2021 in his first year.”

Tilly is not someone you will see in the line to place a bet. “No, I don’t bet on the horses.”

And is there anything she doesn’t like about the Sport of Kings?

“Injuries to the jockeys and the horses. It is always very sad to see a jockey fall or get injured or if a horse gets hurt.”

It has been quite a journey in horse racing for Tilly since 1963 and hopefully as an owner she will be the beneficiary of many more successful horses in the Jacques Strydom Racing Team.

The first race at Fairview today is at 12h25.

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