MARIO FERREIRA

For a man who has “not yet been bitten by the racing bug”, Gauteng businessman Mario has invested heavily in the sport in the two years since being talked into becoming a racehorse owner and currently has “60 or 70” horses which he races throughout the country in various stables.

During the month three of his horses won in KwaZulu-Natal, two from the yard of Dennis Bosch, contributing to his 41 winners to date.

His string is managed by Des Gonsalves who has been in racing for more than 40 years and who said the coming year could be even more rewarding for Mario who has purchased a number of yearlings to add to his stock.

Well done Mario.

GEOFF PERKINS

A second bite at the sport of horseracing has put a smile on the face of owner Geoff Perkins who has enjoyed considerable success since becoming an owner about three years ago.

As a young man he worked as assistant to trained Gary Rich but in his early twenties he moved to other interests and is now involved in property development. But because of his love of animals in general and the thoroughbred in particular, he was persuaded about three years ago to become involved in the filly Lady Carter that won three races for him.

“Lady Carter was my first horse and she won in her first race for me.”

Geoff did not have the most winners in the month but achieved what few can only dream about – three maiden winners including the Ideal World filly Free State that won on her first visit to the race track.

Now involved with about 20 horses spread among a number of trainers, Geoff has had about 15 winners in his short spell as an owner and is looking forward to many more.

Well done Geoff.

ROY MOODLEY

His passion for the sport of racing has made him one of the leading and most successful thoroughbred owners in the country with hundreds of winners since embarking on his favourite pastime in 1994.

As one of the biggest owners in the country with more than 100 horses carrying his colours, he has enjoyed a high degree of success and during this month had six winners in the province. They were Roy’s Guardian, Royal Colours, Roy’s Gul Gul Ha, Roy’s Doctor, Royal Kaitrina and Roy’s Strike Force.

His breeding operation in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands has produced many of his winners and with such dedication to the sport of horseracing his success is well deserved.

Well done Roy.

MARKUS JOOSTE

The Gold Circle Owner Award for the month has been bestowed on Markus Jooste

There has never been an owner in the history of South African racing that has played such a dominant role in the sport as Markus Jooste has with his massive string or horses spread across training yards in virtually every racing region in the country.

His generosity in supporting a variety of stables with high-class thoroughbreds is unique and his enormous investment in racing and breeding has added a new dimension to the industry in the quality of racing and breeding stock.

Racing mainly in partnership with his wife Ingrid, they have been the leading owners in the country for some years and they have more than deserved the success they have enjoyed.

In the past month Markus was involved in five winners in the province – Night Trip in his own colours, Exit Here, and Rabada, Brutal Force and Stormy Eclipse in partnership with Ingrid.

His involvement and support of racing in South Africa is greatly appreciated by all and his success in the past month worthy of the award.

Well done Markus.