MARY LILEY

The Gold Circle Owner Award for the month has been bestowed on Mary Liley

One of the most popular, colourful and respected owners in South African racing for decades, Mary is the owner of the famous  Vieux Rose, Cream and Green colours that have been seen aboard some of the more outstanding horses, many of them imports from New Zealand, to race in the country.

With her involvement that goes back nearly 60 years to 1960 and involves three generations of Herman Brown trainers, Mary continues to support the industry and today runs a team of about 30 horses in the stable of trainer Tony Rivalland from which she enjoyed four winners in December – On The Boulevard, Tristful, Desolate Road and On The Bright Side – as well as success in Port Elizabeth with Fantasy Art that won twice from the Gavin Smith stable in the month.

Top horses bearing her silks over the years include the likes of Bold Monarch, Sun Monarch,Be Noble and Diamond King with Be Noble having been favourite to win the Vodacom Durban July in his year before being scratched after suffering an injury in training.

For Mary racing is a passion and her involvement as an owner is inspired by a constant search for “something special”. For her every winner, whether of a feature event or a maiden, is special but finding and owning a champion is what drives every owner.

“But it is not what you pay for them that matters. Sun Monarch in New Zealand dollars only cost the equivalent at the time of R1 800 and there have been so many horses that cost a fortune and have not amounted to much.

“They are beautiful animals and it is a privilege to own and be associated with them”.

Well done Mary