SA Horseracing recently took time out to chat to prominent KZN trainer Wendy Whitehead, as part of a series on prominent women in the Sport of Kings.

Are you from a racing background?

No, no one in my family has anything to do with horses

How did you get involved with racing?

I got involved with racing when I left school, I first of all started riding when I was 7 years old saw an advert on a shop window in the pet shop and begged my parents to please if I could just have a riding lesson it would be awesome, so for my birthday my dad took me along and I never looked back. I did show jumping and other equestrian disciplines and figured that I couldn't make a living out of doing that, so went into racing. I first started out on the breeding side of the thoroughbred, then the excitement of riding race horses took over so the next best thing was to train racehorses. I was lucky enough to get a kick start when Tony Furness stopped training, and I trained for a lot of the stewards and stalwarts in racing- it was a great start and I am thankful to all of them.

How long have you been a trainer?

I have been training since August 2001

What at the advantages of training at Summerveld?

Summerveld is one of the most beautiful places in the world to train. We have a couple of different surfaces for the horses to work on-namely grass, river sand, beach sand and poly track.
We are very lucky to have a facility like this and what’s more is the horses can enjoy long walks-it's a very horse friendly environment.

How long have you been based there and could you envision training anywhere else?

I have been based here at Summerveld since the start of my career. I have trained at Turfontein, Vaal, and Ashburton but Summerveld is my home.

How many horses do you have at the moment –and who is your best?

I have 45 at the moment. I would say Free State is best- she is a smart filly and I have a few up and coming youngsters looking forward to racing them.

What is the best horse you have trained?

I would say Chant de Nuit, Good Thing, Coffee Sheik, Star Watch, Kahalay, Black Tie to name a few.

What was your most memorable day in racing?

I would say taking Chant de Nuit to Joburg and beating all the big guns with her in the Gr2 Camelia Stakes.

What race would you like most to win?

Any Grade 1 will do- I am not fussy!

Favourite racetrack?

Turfontein and Scottsville

Have you ever felt prejudiced against in racing as a result of being a woman?

It's never worried me before, everyone has their own niche in life and I have always had the attitude of if you want success give it all you have and if it doesn't happen try again. Never give up!!

Do you have a favourite sire in particular at the moment? Have any young sires impressed you? Silvano, Dynasty, Var what great horses, I think What A Winter, Curved Ball, Twice Over are up and coming young sire to watch out for.

What would you like to see changed in racing?

I would like to see people working together to make this industry boom again

Who, if anyone, has inspired you in racing?

The person who most inspired me is Tony Furness, he is a great horseman, good morals and says it like it is, I wish there were a lot more people like him around these days, Charlie Laird is also a great inspiration gives great advise and always reminds me racing is not for sissies ha haha!

What advice would give a someone keen in getting involved in racing, either as a trainer or as an owner?

As a trainer my advice would be as honest and hard working as you can, know your horses, and pedigrees, have great people skills, and just remember training horses is a way of life it's not just a job! You have to be passionate about it to make a success in the industry . As an owner, my advice is take smaller shares in a couple of horses so you have a few horses running at a time it's far more fun having shared interests, it's more affordable and you have a few horses racing at a time, it keeps you excited about wanting to own the next champion!!