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| Staff Writer |
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In a candid interview with Ten Furlongs Magazine, legendary South African Thoroughbred horse trainer Mike de Kock shared his thoughts on the recent changes in horse export protocols and what they mean for South African racing. The multiple Group One-winning trainer, known for his international success, particularly in the Middle East, sees this development as a pivotal moment for the industry.
The opening up of horse export protocols has breathed new life into the South African racing industry. For de Kock, this change represents more than just a logistical improvement; it's a gateway to reclaiming South Africa's place on the global racing stage.
"Apart from COVID, the restrictions around exporting horses also killed my business opportunities in Dubai," de Kock explained. "It became too hard and very expensive. We had to go through Mauritius. In such a situation, you open yourself up for more things to go wrong."
The trainer reminisced about the days when South African horses were regularly showcased in Dubai. "Previously we used to expose South African horses every year in Dubai. So, every year, there'd be new three-year-olds coming through from South Africa. We would be testing some of the better horses from South Africa with other horses from the rest of the world. This was very good for us in terms of knowing where we stood in the world."
For de Kock, the inability to compete internationally has significantly impacted South African racing's self-assessment. "Obviously, since that has stopped, we've lost that ability to rate ourselves against the best in the world," he said.
The trainer drew an Olympic analogy to emphasise the importance of international competition, saying, "What I loved about racing in Dubai is almost a little bit like the Olympics, where there were multiple nations brought together and race together, you could judge the strength of each other. That's the most significant thing about returning to a more level place in terms of export."
De Kock's success in the Middle East is well-documented. He has won numerous prestigious races in Dubai, including the Gr.1 Dubai Duty Free (now known as the Dubai Turf) in 2003 with Ipi Tombe and again in 2004 with Right Approach. His other major victories include the Gr.1 Jebel Hatta, Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic, and Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint.
The trainer sees the opening up of export protocols as an opportunity to rekindle these connections. "Racing is really opened up in the GCC. Until a few years ago, it was just really Dubai. Now, Saudi is massive. And you've got Bahrain and Qatar with very serious racing, you know. And again, being a South African, I would love to expose the South African [horses]."
De Kock's permanent base at Blue Stables in Meydan has been a cornerstone of his international operations. When asked about the impact of the new export protocols on Blue Stables, de Kock's enthusiasm was palpable.
"Dubai is always in the back of my mind. It's just a magnetic place. It changed my life and changed my family's life. It's done a lot for South African racing," he said. "We got great patrons in Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa. And Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum came to race in South Africa because of Dubai. I will forever have a very soft spot for Dubai."
The trainer sees the new protocols as a chance to revitalise his operations at Blue Stables. "It's my ambition to race once again in Dubai, and it's my son's ambition also to come and race horses in Dubai. I just want to get the right horses from here to Dubai. We still have a base in Newmarket. It's definitely something that is on the radar, but it's just something we've got to make happen with the new export protocol."
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When asked about the first important steps following the protocol changes, de Kock emphasised the need for a two-pronged approach: racing success and sales.
"We need to get back there again, where we can sit in the gate with an international field and either be good enough or not good enough. And you know, that's going to take a few years," he said. "I have no doubt in my mind about it, but we need to ship something that can hold its own at a good level in the Northern Hemisphere."
De Kock also highlighted the potential for South African horses in the sales ring. "One of the biggest advantages for Arab owners is that price is really reasonable because of the exchange rate with the dollar," he explained. "The way to go for GCC owners would be to purchase ready-to-race horses from someone like me or whoever knows the formula."
The trainer acknowledged that rebuilding South Africa's international racing presence will take time. "They become fewer and fewer because we have been breeding fewer horses. So, as we build up our numbers again, I think we'll build up the amount of elite athletes we'll be able to get over there and race over there."
Despite the challenges, de Kock remains optimistic. "There's a lot of positive energy in South Africa. We need to get that back. And the only way we can get that back is to expose ourselves to the Thoroughbreds from Ireland, England, Australia, USA, etc."
De Kock's connection to Dubai goes beyond professional success. "I'm definitely going to make a trip to Dubai in the near future, just during the Carnival. I'd love to come and have a look at a few old places and break bread with a few people I know. I'm pretty sure we'll have a presence there."
The opening up of export protocols is not just significant for de Kock and his stable, but for the entire South African racing industry. It represents a chance for South African-bred horses to once again compete on the global stage, potentially attracting international investment and revitalising the local breeding industry.
As one of the most successful trainers in South African history, with 141 Group One wins to his name, de Kock's perspective carries significant weight. His optimism about the future of South African racing on the international stage is a positive sign for the industry as a whole.
The coming months and years will be crucial as South African horses begin to compete internationally once more. For de Kock and his peers, the challenge now is to prove that South African Thoroughbreds can still compete with the best in the world.
As the trainer said, "We have to get back there again, where we can sit in the gate with an international field, and either be good enough or not good enough." With the new export protocols in place, that opportunity is now within reach.
The racing world will be watching closely as South Africa's best horses, under the guidance of trainers like Mike de Kock, take their place once more in starting gates from Dubai to Royal Ascot and beyond. This new chapter for South African racing promises to be as exciting as it is challenging.