STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH

Summerhill Zulu Dance Troupe perform at the Investec Stallion Day
(Photo : Leigh Willson)

“A GREAT DAY IN THE COUNTRY”
by Anne Wilson
Thoroughbred Daily News, 9 July 2012

It has been nicknamed “racing’s greatest day out” by the media, and despite the weather threatening to put a serious dent on the day’s proceedings, the annual Investec Stallion Day went off smoothly and without any hitches.

The day was held again this year at the Al Maktoum School of Excellence, the only facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The Summerhill Stallion Day has become something of a “must attend event,” with people from over 20 nations in attendance, coming from far and wide to listen to and witness why Summerhill Stud has been South Africa’s champion breeders for seven consecutive years.

This year witnessed the introduction of two new boys on the block to the stallion ranks; Traffic Guard, the 123 Timeform-rated son of More Than Ready and Golden Sword (GB), the G3 Chester Vase winner and son of the influential High Chaparral (Ire). CEO and owner, Mick Goss regaled the assembled crowd with stories of the various stallions as they were led past by their handlers, and it is clear to see that he is a great marketer and raconteur.

The assembled crowd was then treated to a spellbinding dancing performance by the resident Summerhill Zulu Dance Troupe, who entertained with their enthralling and energetic routines. A three-course catered lunch followed inside a Bedouin style-tent attached to the school. This year, for the first time, the lunch was catered by well-known Hartford House celebrity chef Jackie Cameron. Jackie and her team have led Hartford House to some impressive culinary accolades over the years, winning the 2010 Visa/House & Leisure best restaurant in KZN, as well as Eat Out top restaurant in South Africa for two years running in 2010 and 2011.

The Land of Legends, a collection of the top hotels and resorts around KwaZulu-Natal then presented the Ingwazi Awards to two people who have given exceptional service, not only to the tourism industry in KZN, but to the country as a whole. Past winners include: KZN Premier Dr. Zweli Mkhize, and the legendary conservationist Dr. Ian Player. This year the awards were posthumous: Francois Anthony, widow of the famed ‘elephant whisperer’ Lawrence Anthony, accepted the first award on behalf of her late husband for his work in elephant conservation. The second award was accepted on behalf of the Rattray Family and its iconic head, David Rattray, by famed storyteller and motivational speaker Rob Caskie. David was known for his work not only as a tour guide of the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, but for his lectures at the Royal Geographic Society in London, which attracted huge crowds. Rob was his protege and is a worthy successor to the title and mantle of storyteller.

The pace and excitement of the afternoon was kept up with an auction of stallion services and a massive bottle of L’Ormarins wine, autographed by Gaynor Rupert. Bidding was enthusiastic and steady throughout the sale, led by well-known racing commentator Graeme Hawkins. All monies raised in the stallion auction go to projects for the disadvantaged, and that knowledge certainly helped the bidding and the prices.

The day finished off with music by the well-known local musicians, Afritude, who certainly managed to get the crowds dancing along to their tunes.

The Investec Stallion Day is an event which is worthy of its billing as racing’s greatest day out, and the whole team is to be congratulated for its organisation and staging of a magnificent day.

OUR MAN THABANI

THABANI NZIMANDE
The National Stud

When our man Thabani Nzimande took a flight from the warm climes of Sunny South Africa on his way to The English National Stud, he didn’t know what he was in for. It’s cold in Mooi River in winter, and sometimes very cold, but nothing prepares you for knee-deep snow, rain and ice, particularly when it’s your first welcome at Heathrow airport.

Thabani Nzimande was the recipient of the Childwick Trust Scholarship to the English National Stud as the top graduate of our School of Management Excellence last year. Selected in a tight contest by the school’s governors, Judge Alan Magid and ex Jockey Club Chair, Ronnie Napier. A chance visit to Hartford House at the end of an arduous odyssey through the back streets of rural South Africa, led Anthony Cane, chairman of Epsom racecourse and home to England’s most famous horse race, and John Woods to our School of Excellence and to an understanding of what it represents. As trustees of the Childwick Trust, they immediately saw an opportunity to benefit a segment of disadvantaged community in South Africa in a sphere closest to the heart of the original benefactor, Jim Joel. As it happened, Anthony Cane was also a trustee at the English National Stud, and there was serendipity in the three connections, Epsom racecourse, where the Derby is sponsored these days by a South African company, (Investec), The National Stud and the School of Excellence.

Anthony Cane is no ordinary trustee though. He’s serious about his work, and he has a deep and sincere interest in the outcomes of the trust’s activities. He was in contact recently with Tabitha Smith, training director at The National Stud, and she copied us on part of the report she had directed to Anthony.

“Stephen Wallis mentioned to me that he had seen you and that you spoke about coming to meet Thabani. We would be delighted to introduce him to you and any of your fellow Trustees if they are available. Thabani is continuing to be a great success; he has received his first formal feedback on his yard rotations and his time on the Stallion unit. From both he got a glowing report and that is no mean feat from our Head Stallion Man! He has formed a really good friendship with Mathew de Kock and gets on extremely well with the rest of his peer group and staff alike”.

Thabani and fellow South African Mathew de Kock, son and assistant to South Africa’s most famous racing couple, Mike and Diane de Kock, is part of a group of new recruits from across the world, where they are attending the National Stud’s globally acclaimed course in horse stud management.

Heather Morkel +27 (0) 33 263 1081
or email heather@summerhill.co.za
www.summerhill.co.za

THE GREATEST GIFT IN CREATION

Click above to watch an insert on the 2011 Investec Stallion Day and the
official opening of the Al Maktoum School of Management Excellence
(A Jimmy Lithgow Production)

AL MAKTOUM
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE

The world is a very competitive place; it’s never been more so.
Education is the key to the world.
There is only one School of Management Excellence
in the Southern Hemisphere, and it has the best teachers in the world. 

AND THE BEST PEOPLE KNOW IT.

Drakenstein, Highlands, Klawervlei, Maine Chance, Mike de Kock, Summerhill and Wilgerbosdrift.

JOIN THE CLUB : YOUR STAFF DESERVE IT

Heather Morkel +27 (0) 33 263 1081
or email heather@summerhill.co.za
www.summerhill.co.za

INSPIRING NOTE FROM CON ROUX (N3TC)

Con Roux - N3TC
(Image : Look Local / Summerhill)

AL MAKTOUM
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE

We’re humbled daily by the kindness and generosity shown by big business in the advocacy of educational opportunities in our part of the world. Below is a message penned by one of the sponsors of the Al Maktoum School Of Management Excellence, N3 Toll Concession Commercial Manager, Con Roux.

“Hi Megan,

Please convey my warmest appreciation to Mick and Cheryl for the invitation to visit Summerhill yesterday. I shall remember the students’ Powerpoint presentations for a very long time. It was incredibly moving to see them stand before such an illustrious gathering, overcome their nerves and language difficulties, and present the learning from their course in an almost reverential manner. The course clearly has meant the world to them. Summerhill can be justly proud of what has been achieved and N3TC is privileged to have played a small part.

Thank you Heather and your students for being such an inspiration to us all.

Thank you also for the warm and generous hospitality. I was thrilled beyond words to see Ed and Margie Southey again after all these years!

Best Regards,
Con Roux
Commercial Manager
N3TC”

www.n3tc.co.za

SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE OPEN DAY 2011

“Your Invitation”

Join us from 10h30 - 12h30 at the School Of Excellence, Summerhill Stud,
on Saturday 24 September 2011, for a tour of the facilities and
general information about the course we have on offer.

Applications are now open for 2012.

RSVP :
Heather Morkel 27 (0) 33 263 1081
or email heather@summerhill.co.za
www.summerhill.co.za