BRIAN “BUFFALO BILL” BURNARD

A charismatic professional hunter, an owner and breeder of buffalo and a somewhat addicted buyer of thoroughbreds, Brian has, in a few years, increased his stable of horses to “about” 60 and has enjoyed considerable success with a number of graded race victories – including two Grade 1 events – and a fourth place in the Vodacom Durban July.
“Racing is a wonderful sport and becomes like heroin. It is a tough game but you become a glutton for punishment and – it’s like my arm become very light at the sales,” he joked. He has just bought another four horses in Australia and is extremely excited about his group of young horses, some of which “are really showing something.”
From the very beginning he has been with the Gavin van Zyl stable with Gavin’s son Gareth, under the guidance of his father, now completely responsible for training all Brian’s horses.
And where did the “Buffalo Bill” tag come from?
“It was at the first sale I went to, the farm sale at Summerhill Stud where I bought four horses including No Worries. Chatting to Mick Goss at dinner the evening before he learned of my background and the next day at the sale he called me Buffalo Bill and it has just gone on from there.”
Brian enjoyed success with three of his runners during the month – Night Shadow, Pioneer Spirit and Kileigh – and for his outstanding support of racing he is a worthy winner of the monthly award.

Well done Brian.