Ormond Ferraris Chalks Up Winner Number 2500

The legendary Turffontein-based trainer Ormond Ferraris had his 2500th career winner on Saturday at Turffontein and it was fitting it occurred in a feature race, the Listed Drum Star Handicap over 1800m, with the three-year-old classic contender Romany Prince, who was ridden by Muzi Yeni.

Twice a South African champion trainer Ferraris said, “It’s a great feeling. Thank you very much to all concerned. I’ve never had more than 60 horses a season, so this achievement is that much more special. My best I’ve trained are Tracey’s Element who was owned by Paddy Hinton and Cherry on the Top, for the late Mrs O. I’ve had lots of very good owners in the past, most of them are gone now, but happy to share this with a longtime loyal owner like Peter Dimakogiannis.”

Ferraris has also gained a reputation as a trainer of trainers and included among those he mentored is the eight-times South African champion trainer and legend in his own right Mike de Kock, who has well and truly put South Africa on the map with his overseas exploits; Michael Clements, who became champion trainer of Zimbabwe and also a successful trainer in Singapore; and also his own son David Ferraris, who became four-times South African Champion trainer and has had tremendous success in Hong Kong.

Ormond was granted his trainer’s license at the age of 20 in 1952 after completing his trainer’s apprenticeship under George Weale. A horse called Shenandoah supplied him with his first winner in 1954.

He has always been known to have his horses superbly fit and has consequently won the SA Oaks ten times and the SA Derby eight times. One of his biggest career successes happened as recently as 2013 when he guided the filly Cherry On The Top to the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara in 2013.

This filly was the first horse he had ever trained for the Oppenheimer family. When the famous yellow and black colours crossed the line first in the Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks, thus completing the Triple Tiara, it provided a tremendous thrill for the now late “Queen Mum of South African racing”, Bridget Oppenheimer, who was on course to accept the prize.

Ferraris had actually officially retired in the mid 1990s, handing over the reins to his son David. However, he was unable to stay away from the game he loved and was soon training under his own name again. Ormond’s biggest owner at the time of the hand over to his son was Paddy Hinton. David then landed the country’s biggest race, the Durban July, for Hinton with Super Quality in 1997.

David also won the July the following year with Classic Flag.

Ormond has won a lot of the country’s biggest races and would almost certainly have the July on his CV too if it was not for the cruel luck suffered by Distinctly in 1974. An objection on behalf of Distinctly was upheld, but unfortunately another horse on the other side of the track, the Oppenhimer-owned Principal Boy, had finished a whisker in front of Distinctly so had to be awarded the race with Ferraris’ horse second.

Ferraris’ 2500 winners have been achieved at close to 40 per season, a remarkable feat considering he has never had a string of more than 60.