De Kock rakes in 3 000 wins
Mike de Kock made history being the first trainer to record 3 000 career wins in South Africa.
THERE was no question whether Mike de Kock would reach the milestone of 3 000 wins on the racing track as a trainer in 2017. This accolade came his way when he was far away, but his stable made sure that the three feature wins needed landed over the weekend.
The Highveld racing season opened on Saturday, March 4 at Turffontein racecourse, with the first leg of the Triple Crown drawn festival.
The racing fraternity not only enjoyed watching as Janoobi, with Albertonian Piere Strydom (riding for the De Kock stable) on his back, snatched up the Betting World Gauteng Guineas Grade 2 race, but also experienced the making of history as De Kock became the first trainer to record 3 000 career wins in South Africa.
“We couldn’t have written the script any better. The last three wins, all achieved on the afternoon, were in feature races and that’s just a testament to my dad and the man he is,” said Matthew de Kock, who is also an assistant trainer in the De Kock stable.
Unfortunately De Kock could not attend the Triple Crown on Saturday, as he was in Dubai, where some of his horses ran in the Super Saturday meeting.
But once again champion jockey Piere Strydom slaughtered it out on Janoobi to pip the field and rake in the 3 000th win for De Kock. “He didn’t pull hard out front like he usually does. And he feels like he has grown – he is a short, stocky horse. I am so pleased to have been aboard at this big win for Mike de Kock,” said Strydom.
In the Triple Tiara, Smiling Blue Eyes of current champion trainer Sean Tarry won the first of three in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas. A R1-million bonus awaits the winner of all three legs.
The second leg of the prestigious series is the R2-million Grade 1 SA Classic to be run over 1 800m at Turffontein on April 1.
The third leg is the R2-million Grade 1 South African Derby to be run over 2 450m on Saturday, May 6.
