MICHAEL DE HAAST

A relaxing sundowner and chat with his racehorse training neighbor Alec Laird 20 years ago set Michael de Haast on a mission that today runs an international racing operation that controls 37 horses in England and Ireland and a growing stable of horses in South Africa.

“I was never interested in racehorses. My wife Laura was, having been involved with horses for many years including back to when she rode work for trainer Henry Eatwell of Welcome Boy fame. But Alec was saying there was one horse he had not been able to get rid of, the filly Proud Peyton and I bought her for R80 000.

“I became hooked on racing and when we emigrated to the UK and Ireland I formed the International Racing Club and built a syndicate that today has 37 horses there and 14 or 15 here in KwaZulu-Natal. My wife and I also run a number of horses outside the syndicate here with Louis Goosen and I have just bought a number of horses including runners for

Mike Robinson in the Cape and Paul Peter in Gauteng. I also have a horse with Gavin Smith in Port Elizabeth.”

Since starting out in 1998, the International Racing Club together with Michael and Laura, have won 161 races which includes the three at Greyville during March that contributed to Michael being the recipient of the Gold Circle Owner of the Month award.

Well done Michael!