GARTH PULLER

The Gold Circle Trainer Award for the month has been bestowed on Garth Puller

All competitive sports have their heroes and racing is no exception with South Africa producing some of the best trainers, jockeys and horses in the world. Although not having performed on the international stage, racing fans will place Garth as one of the best riders South Africa produced.

Garth is one of the few jockeys that have made a successful transition to training and that is undoubtedly because from the time he was a young rider he had an affinity with the thoroughbred and developed a style of riding that required a virtual intimate knowledge of the characteristics and abilities of his mounts.

He gave his rides a chance and so often produced them at the right time for victory – and who can forget his incredible win in the then Rothmans July on Over The Air after losing many kilos to ride the weight.

It is that incredible knowledge and experience that has contributed to Garth finding himself at the top of the trainer log in KwaZulu-Natal this month and a worthy recipient of the award.

Well done Garth!