On Saturday night I was merrily sitting in the stands at the rugby with a bunch of friends, eagerly awaiting kick off to what was then still an expectation of victory. That being beside the point, I was making my way through yet another Windhoek when an interesting announcement tickled my fancy – The Sharks have gotten involved in a race horse!
Now for those that do not know, I am an accountant by trade but a bookie by heart, owning shares in a race horse before and an avid follower of this industry. So you can only imagine my excitement when I heard this and made a mental note to follow up and do as much research on this as I possibly can.
The horse is aptly named Shark Attack and he is co-owned by the Nicholas Rey Foundation, The Sharks (whom I believe own around 20%), Dr Louis Luyt himself and some oke from Isidingo, Emanuel Castis.
For some background here, the Nicholas Rey Foundation was formed after Nicholas Rey had a terrible accident whilst playing polo in 2004, leaving Nicholas with a brain stem injury and unable to move or speak. The Foundation was formed to assist people who have been permanently disabled through horse riding accidents , especially focusing on rehabilitation and aftercare.
For those that are inclined and in the know about horse racing in South Africa, Shark Attack has fairly strong breeding in its blood, being sired by Casey Tibbs, who also sired Big City Life, who incidentally won the Vodacom Durban July in 2009.
Keegan Daniel himself named the horse at a ceremony held at the Summerveld Equine Hospital back in December 2008, and in a fundraiser held at Sibaya Casino last year, shares in the horse were offered to the public.
Well known Durban based trainer Bart Rice has offered to train the horse as well as cover all medical expenses free of charge.
Sharks Attack ran his debut race this past Sunday at Clairwood, and finished 17th out of 20 runners. Reports have been positive, and considering it was his first ever run and that he gave no problems, all parties are looking forward to his next race.
I will personally keep track of this horse and keep everybody up to date and in the loop on he performs.
Tweet
I know it’s not really rugby related..
But I couldn’t help myself!
Go Sharks attack!! At this rate you are doing the same as your team!
@Ice (Comment 2) :
They always start that way..
Should see a vast improvement in the second and third races..
Saw a picture of the jockey on the Sharks website. Looks pretty neat!
http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/news/general/110524/Its_a_Shark_Attack
@Viking (Comment 4) :
Those are the registered colours of the horse..
Very interesting that they are allowed to have that picture on the front.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 3) : I would not have the foggiest, Rich!
@Ice (Comment 6) :
I’m informing the masses..
Great initiative this. Not one for the races, but I do have an eye for a healthy filly!
Its actually a colt Fish, but I see where you are going with this…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 9) :
I wasn’t talking about Shark Attack.
I leave the colts for our WP mates…
Hahaha..
Enough said..
Hey Rich, what does an accountant use for contraception?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
His personality…
@VinChainSaw (Comment 12) :
Oh, and please dont take offence… for my sins I’m a beancounter by trade too…
@VinChainSaw (Comment 12) :
Hey, I enjoy a good accountant joke..
And I do not take offence to that, at the end of the day, you speak the truth..