More South African scatterlings enrich foreign racing climes

When the late Johnny Clegg wrote his song “Scatterlings of Africa” he had in mind people roaming across this continent in search of “Pelamanga”, a place of beginnings and endings – a spiritual home.

The evocative phrase fits well with the South African horse racing scenario of jockeys, trainers, owners and grooms emigrating in ever-increasing numbers – scattering across the world in search of a better life for their families.

This week came the news that one of the country’s leading female trainers, Ashley Fortune, was joining the migration. She’s heading to Australia with husband Andrew – a former South African champion jockey – and their two children.

In an interview with Sporting Post, Fortune said, “I have to do what I believe is best for our children and future generations.”

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Those leaving South Africa in droves are always heartsore at bidding farewell to a magical land, “beneath the copper sun”, as Johnny put it. But “each uprooted one” must move on.

Ashley Fortune joins other Mzansi star trainers like Gary Alexander and Mathew de Kock ‘Down Under’.

The jockey ranks have been even more denuded of world-class talent in recent times: Greg Cheyne to the UK, Fransie Herholdt to China, Ryan Munger to Canada, Callan Murray to Australia, Mpumelelo Mjoka to Ireland, Lyle Hewitson and Luke Ferraris to Hong Kong, and Warren Kennedy and Craig Zackey to New Zealand.

Back for now

Zackey, of course, has returned to South Africa after taking the Kiwi racing scene by storm, but has made it clear he will waste no time heading back to New Zealand when the “personal reasons” for his U-turn change.

Calvin Habib is also prodigal after finding Singapore does not offer enough racing each week for him to match heights he was reaching in South Africa. But economic and social blight will no doubt have Habib looking for other opportunities.

Even humble stable hands and work riders are finding the grass greener on the other side.

Turf Talk newsletter recently reported that John Motaung of Pinetown, a graduate of Mick Goss’s Summerhill equestrian academy, was the man who backed (or broke in) the 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage – at Sequel Bloodstock in Florida in the US, where he is co-manager and work rider.

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Working alongside Motaung at Sequel is Marcel Pillay, another product of the Summerhill school and of the SA Jockey Academy at Summerveld.

Amid the sadness of losing talent – and not only from the small world of racing – there are chinks of light in the dark NDR tunnel.

The Kieswetter family, who bought Graham Beck’s Highlands Stud a while ago, are determined to build a major international breeding and racing empire rooted in South Africa.

The operation was this week rebranded as simply Ridgemont and its sponsorship of the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes announced. This high-quality weight-for-age contest for fillies and mares, run on Durban July day, is a perfect stage for the young and ambitious Craig and Ross Kieswetter to project an image of a progressive industry.