BULLER BENTON, a past Apprentice and Riding Master of the South African Jockey Academy, sadly passed away on the morning of the 3rd of March 2015. “Mr. Benton” or “Mr. B” as he was affectionately known to many apprentices had a lifetime of achievements and success in the horseracing industry. He trained successfully for more than 25 years, was a TBA inspector for four years, worked for the legendary Terrance Millard for six years, assisted SA’s only black trainer, Bennett Bulana, and until recently was a Riding Master at the Academy.
Mr. Benton will forever be known for his association with leading owner Cyril Hurvitz, this was a training partnership that produced hundreds of the 1000-plus winners that the Benton stable sent out. Mr. Benton loved to chat about the good old days of racing and would share with the apprentices tales of the famous horses he had trained for Mr. Hurvitz, such as Chatham, Belligerent, Reference, Pretty Prize, Laura, Have A Fling, Frisky and the great Bold Tropic, who was sold to the US for R5 million and became the second-best turf horse to John Henry.
Mr. Benton is survived by three sons, who have all made careers in racing. Peter is an executive at Phumelela Gaming & Leisure; Steve is a Trainer in Pietermaritzburg, while Craig has been Trainer, Stipendiary Steward, Training Operations Manager for the British Racing School and is now the Head Trainer at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The Academy expresses it deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the Benton family for their loss and Buller Benton will be forever missed at the Academy.