Port Elizabeth racing is blessed with some of the country`s top horsemen. Barry Steenkamp is one of Port Elizabeth`s most experienced conditioners and is a master at getting unsound horses to competitive fitness. This is a skill that most trainers from the Eastern Cape have perfected as they are often given unsound horses that have failed in other provinces. When asked about his most memorable achievement, Barry said that winning six in a row with Because You`r Mine is something that he`ll never forget; we believe that Waterloo Sunset can certainly give Barry more wonderful memories. Together with the riding ability of Willie Uys, the very much in-form Steenkamp yard will very likely be a force to reckon with this season.

Married / single: Married.

What car do you drive? Toyota Cressida 2.4L.

Where do you live? Walmer Heights, P.E.

Tell us about your introduction into racing and how you got to where you are today. As a youngster I worked for my late uncle, Cookie Amos, who was a brilliant horseman. I then became a private trainer to Alfie Heyns in Cape Town.

Are there any top horses that you have trained and any feature races that you would like to mention? You don`t get many top horses in Port Elizabeth, but Because You`r Mine (six in a row), and Waterloo Sunset (four in a row, going for his fifth) are two. Then you have the old timers like Uhuru. He came back and become an ultra consistent horse, who ended up beating the top horse in Port Elizabeth, Brigadier Parker.

Tell us about your current string and where you think your strength lies for the new season. I train a constantly changing string of about thirty-five horses. We are hoping for better things with the promising Waterloo Sunset who has won four in row. The rest of the yard consists of many new in-mates and it is difficult to know at this stage what to expect of them. We get many unsound horses from other yards and manage to get them fit enough to be competitive.

Tell us about all your helping hands in your team. I have a great team behind me, my stable jockey Willie Uys is one of the top jockeys in the country and I have a new apprentice, Charles Ndhlovu.

Tell us about your current training base and would you train elsewhere? I train at Arlington; I love it here and wouldn`t train elsewhere.

What are your impressions on the merit rating system? When it works in our favour, I have no problem with it but when it doesn`t, I do.
Any words for or about your patrons. Patrons play a big part in a stable and I have some very loyal ones; Dave Williams, Steve Nguskos, J. Mathyssen, S. Maynardt, just to name a few. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my patrons for their continued support over the years.

What are you other passions, hobbies or interests? Watching sport on television, and socialising with old friends.

Tell us in your way, the current problems that racing is encountering. The lack of crowds at the races is a cause for some concern. We need to attract the younger generation to play a role is the sport.

Solutions? We need to embark on more aggressive advertising campaigns. We should look at promoting all race meetings, not just the big race-days.

What have been your memorable moments? Every winner is memorable; winning six in a row with Because You`r Mine is something I will never forget.

How can we help punters, any advice for them? Always follow the in-form trainers and jockeys; also, study form!

Do you think that the standards of racing are advancing? Yes, training methods have advanced over the years but I believe that there are not many horsemen today that can compete with the likes of Cookie Amos, Terrance Millard and Syd Laird.

You have been in great form recently, what do you attribute this to? I think that having good staff and a happy working environment is the key. The experience of Willie Uys, especially his input when riding work, is invaluable.

Would you race elsewhere in the world, given the chance, where? I`m too old for that now but if I were younger and the opportunity came about, I would have had to say Hong Kong.

Which young horse/s do you think are destined for the top in our country at the moment? There are a few nice sorts in this country at the moment but Dynasty stands out.

What are your ambitions? If I were younger I would have many ambitions but I`m getting older now and I`m satisfied with the way things are going.

Info for Friday 12/09/03.

Race 2: Moneo - I feel that she may still need a run as she is a bit green.

Race 5: Flaming Silver - He`s well, can place. Royal Occasion - Also well, must be included.

Race 7: What A Break - Very well at the moment, I give him a big chance. The distance? I don`t have a problem with the distance, he would obviously prefer further but the Fairview 1600m is testing.

Race 8: Albert Hall - Very happy with him and although he`s in a tough race I`m expecting a big run. Roraima - Upset chance at the weights.