SA Horse Racing recently spent time chatting to KZN Breeders’ Candiese Marnewick, one of the top female equine photographers in the country. Candiese has been involved in the sport for a number of years, and her photos and articles grace some of the top publications in the country.

How did you get involved in racing/breeding?
I Started riding at the of 12 and since then I have always had a growing interest in thoroughbreds and pedigrees. My introduction to racing was an unusual and long story - I swopped a pricey dressage saddle for an 18 month old TB colt by Slew The Red. He was a horse I had bought in Greytown to grow out and eventually compete in eventing, as I was pregnant with my eldest child at the time. Des Egdes arrived out of the blue, introduced himself and said he had heard I had a very smart colt (named Out East) he would like to see. He persuaded me to send him into training - the horse was just growing out on a farm and I had no intention of doing anything further for a few years, so I spoke to some friends and we sent him in. He wasn't very talented but we had a helluva lot of fun, and it dawned on me that owning a racehorse was certainly not "pie in the sky". It showed me that horse ownership was not beyond the reach of passionate racegoers. After I retired him I sent him to a top KZN Junior to school and she loved him. I ended up giving him to her and he had some success show jumping, before his sad, unexpected and untimely death. 

However, how I got into breeding is another story and it did start with Out East in an odd way. I had a livery yard at the time in Ashburton with twenty horses (only two were mine and three were in the KZN teams for various disciplines) and one of my clients had a lovely big mare named Echo. That was all I knew about her - her abbreviated name. She was a big capacious mare, perfectly conformed, and even though she was a bit hot, loved to jump. Her owner sold her and I caught a glimpse of her passport before she left my yard, and as luck would have it she only went 5kms down the road, opposite the Ashburton Training Centre. Her dam's name, Distant Echoes, stuck with me. I had worked with Echo's half-brother, Harry's Echo, when I did my Horsemastership course in Hammarsdale and he was a superb racehorse in his day. 

After the running of the J&B Met, Pocket Power's pedigree flashed up on the screen  - and there was Distant Echoes! I went to see Out East in training with Des and asked him to enquire about Distant Echoes and the connection to the mare. The mare, by Complete Warrior, was 13 and literally standing across the road doing nothing as her new owner was apprehensive about riding her. I immediately made an anonymous offer of R13 000 on the mare and it was declined. We approached a bloodstock agent who came back with a value of R350 000 on the mare named War Echo. I put in an offer of R25 000 and it was accepted immediately (the owner must have thought he saw me coming because it was a lot to pay for a horse standing in a paddock doing nothing), I  sent a float to fetch her immediately, and she was sent to Rathmor Stud, and that was that!!!! I sold her to Backworth and her Kahal colt sold for R350 000 at the CTS Ready To Run Sale two years back. 

Are you from a horsey background?
Not really no, but my grandparents lived in Lesotho when my mother was young and they did keep a number of horses on their property. My Scottish grandmother loved her horses and she did hack out a lot, and my great grandfather was a Vet. I remember my mother peeling me off the hind leg of a very large draught horse that I was hugging when I was about five at the Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg, I had no fear and always loved horses from as long as I could remember. I do miss riding terribly and having horses at home. The bug never leaves your blood.  

How long have you been involved in the sport?
I got into racing in 2005 but I started riding when I was 12 in Durban, initially showjumping and later dressage. 

How did you get involved with photography and what camera do you use?
When I started working for the KZN Breeders in May 2011, they asked me to post news a few times a week and suddenly the need for photos emerged to go with the stories and it just went from there. I now use a Canon 7D. 

Who are you working for at the moment?
The KZN Breeders, where I do the bulk of my work, is where my heart is. I am fortunate to do some work for the TBA, as well as a number of private farms in KZN. I also have one or two new arrived non-equestrian clients. I am very blessed to be in a job that is my passion and thank my lucky stars daily! 

Tell me how you got involved with the KZN Breeders Club and some of the work that the club does.
My work with the KZN Breeders began when I sent my mare to Rathmor Stud. Mike McHardy was a Director of the Club and he mentioned that the KZN Breeders were looking to commence a website and  blog to promote news out of the province. He asked me if I would be interested, as my husband at the time, Michael Marnewick, was the Media Manager for the Sharks rugby team and could initially assist me. Prior to this, I had no writing or photography experience, just a passion for the thoroughbred. 

Our KZN Breeders Club is a tightly knit community of breeders and we get very pleasing and encouraging results from small numbers, without omitting our national Champion Breeders, Summerhill Stud, our proud flagship farm. We do have an advantage in that, with our breeders premiums, we have the only financial incentive to breed thoroughbreds in South Africa. Breeders can prove their reinvestment into breeding and claims are paid out annually. Our Board has been innovative in their unique marketing ideas and the KZN Breeders Race Day is our previous Chairman, Koos De Klerk's baby. We wanted to "give back" to our supporters and remoulded this day to reward the owners and trainers who purchase our KZN-Bred horses and have a chance at winning a race for a stake of R200 000 each, and of course, not forgetting the main race - the Million Mile which was previously known as the KZN Breeders 1600 (Listed) and carried a stake of R250 000. We have also been working on the upliftment of our grooms, with several farms sending their staff on courses around the country. Our Board is headed up by Lee Scribante of Piemonte Stud and they have certainly hit the ground running as a burgeoning establishment, who have already produced two provincial champions from only two racing seasons.   

Can you touch on the KZN Breeders’ Club day? When does it take place and what are the stakes like?
It is a special day that is one of the biggest behind the Vodacom Durban July when it comes to stakes on offer. It is exclusively for horses that are registered with the KZN Breeders Premium Scheme and will take place next year on Sunday 25 June 2017 at Greyville. It is always the Sunday preceding the July and the KZN Yearling Sale. The day has grown immensely and we are very grateful to the owners and trainers that support us each year. Last year we received over 900 entries (for nine races!) and the last two years have seen the Durban View Room packed to capacity, as we invite the owners and trainers to join the breeders (including out of province vendors at the KZN Yearling Sale) to our special day. We run a series of eight races for a stake of R200 000 each - over 1200m, 1600m and 1900m each for colts and fillies, with two juvenile races over 1200m. Then of course the highlight of the day is the KZN Breeders Million Mile for a million rand - which always attracts a top class field of horses that could hold their own in anywhere in the country and this year saw No Worries beat Group 1 winner Rabada. The total stakes on the day amount to over R2,6million.

How many publications do you work for?
I work for Parade Magazine, International Racehorse Magazine and occasionally, Gallop Magazine overseas ask me for photographic contributions. 

How do you cope on a day like July day when needing to be everywhere at once?
Well fortunately phones these days bring your office to your hands, so whilst I am photographing horses in the parade ring and at the finish, any social media news for who I work for, is easily updated on the day and I will go home after and write my relevant articles. 

You must be encouraged by how the KZN Yearling Sale has grown. What would you attribute that to?
We are very proud indeed of how it has grown and thankful to those Cape farms that send horses up to sell in what must be the best winter weather in the country. The KZN Yearling Sale Million run on Vodacom Durban July day has definitely had a hugely positive influence (and been won by the likes of Same Jurisdiction and Virgo's Babe). What is astounding is the number of good horses that have graduated off the KZN Yearling Sale - the likes of Gr1 winners Happy Valentine, triple crown winner Louis The King, Wild One, Virgo's Babe, Colour Of Courage, Same Jurisdiction - and many others. It is definitely not a sale to miss if you are looking to find a really smart individual. Breeders in KZN have also invested in good mares over the past few years and we are beginning to reap those rewards with the quality of horses we are producing. 

Who/what inspired you to get involved with photography?
As I mentioned previously, the photography became an important part of my work and I enjoy it immensely, I find it very rewarding and its a nice outlet for my creative side which I don't have time to indulge. My inspiration is most definitely Liesl King. She is an absolute genius with a camera and continues to be an inspiration - she has also been very kind and helpful for which I am so thankful. 

Are your two daughters interested in horses, and would you encourage them to get involved?
They love horses to bits and I don't think they realise just how lucky they are to be visiting racing stables and stud farms with me, from time to time. I would definitely encourage them to get involved and and my youngest has aspirations of following in her mother’s footsteps. I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing (lol)! 

Who, if anyone, has inspired you in the industry, and if so, why?
Its really hard to highlight one person - I have been so fortunate to have met so many wonderful, kind and supportive people across all aspects of racing and breeding. There are so many I respect and admire - I cannot mention them all. Working for Robin Scott of Scott Bros has definitely been a highpoint. He has taught me a lot about conformation photography and he is just an amazing person to listen to about his experiences in breeding and racing and I have a mountain of respect for him - a true icon of the industry in this country. Of course, the McHardy's at Rathmor and the De Klerk's of Yellow Star have always encouraged me, especially at times when things got overwhelming, and are always ready to offer positive advice. Whilst the breeding side of the industry has always been closest to my heart, my partner Warren Lenferna, who is so immensely passionate about the industry has revitalised my love of racing which I am loving. Its always rewarding to see babies that I have seen on the farms as foals, stripped and prancing in the parade ring at Greyville a few years later and of course, entering the winners enclosure. 

Do you think it is a disadvantage to be a woman in this industry?
No, not at all, I have never personally found that sort of thing to be an issue at all. Regardless of gender, in this industry you need broad shoulders, a natural strength of character and an excellent sense of humour - we are after all, all here for the love of the thoroughbred. We have some seriously dedicated and passionate ladies in this industry with the likes of Sarah Whitelaw, Robyn Louw, Liesl King, Ashley De Klerk and Gill Mostert and all the successful female trainers, for which we are most fortunate. 

Which young sires have you been impressed by and why?
I haven't unfortunately been able to visit any stallions in the Cape and I would love to in the future, but the progeny I see in the sales ring that really impressed me are, the Twice Over's and Oratorio's. What A Winter seems to be producing lovely big horses and I look forward to seeing the progeny of Soft Falling Rain in the future, he is a beautiful specimen. I think Jackson is a top prospect and we are going to hear a lot more from Pathfork. 

From a KZN perspective, Noble Tune, Crusade and Irish Flame are stand outs. Noble Tune just oozes so much class and quality and he could stand at any top establishment in the world, we are so lucky to have him in South Africa. Crusade is a sight to behold in the flesh - a British Group 1 winner cant be ignored and he has let down into a picture with a stunning action, and of course his sister is now a dual Group 1 winner and three of his first six runners have placed on debut. He is pitch black with not a stitch of white on him anywhere, but what a gentleman - he is a favourite with my youngest daughter. Irish Flame, for me, has to be one of the best looking stallions in SA. He possesses so much athleticsm and balance for a horse his size and has an astounding walk, it really needs to be seen - he is handsome and elegant with plenty of class and substance, a real classic Thoroughbred with superb conformation, and he is very intelligent, with a great character. He produces a lovely big foal including his fillies, all well stamped. 

You work extremely hard – how do you balance your schedule?
I think we all work hard in this industry which is 24/7, but being a single Mom (my daughters are 11 and 7) is without a doubt a challenge, especially when I travel. I am thankful for the support from my ex husband whose work also entails travel, and my mother in law. We have a very good relationship, which I believe is important for our children, and we understand the need for flexibility when it comes to the children and our work. My children are quite involved in a lot of extra murals at school and my eldest recently went to Singapore for an international Maths competition and did very well. I'm not sure if I have found a balance but I do have a policy that when my children are home on weekends and evenings, I try to have a closed laptop. I continue my work after they go to bed in the evenings and just do as much as I can, wherever possible and I work throughout the weekends when the children are away. Fortunately I manage on very little sleep which helps but when you love what you do. It is also great to be in a relationship with someone from the industry, who understands my work and family demands and is very supportive. 

What, if anything, would you like to see changed in racing?
I think what I would like to see changed is the general public mind set that owning a racehorse is not within reach, because it really is easier than people think. Greenstreet Bloodstock, Team G Racing, Imagine Racing and the 3A Racing Syndicate have definitely made inroads here and it does boil down to putting it out there and educating the public that being involved in a horse is accessible and an incredible amount of fun.  

What is your favourite course/raceday?
Its hard to really pick one, I love Greyville, which is a top class facility and Gold Circle have upgraded the buildings and facilities beautifully - with innovations like the Lightning Shot bar and the Durban View Room are just spectacular, and night racing really is a bucket list item and it is most encouraging to see the public every Friday night filling the braai and kids area, enjoying themselves thoroughly. I also really enjoy Turffontein - I love that you can enjoy racing from the stands with the parade ring and racecourse all close by and well within view and its an absolute pleasure to work at. The track is beautiful. 
The Vodacom Durban July is something that needs to be experienced and of course our KZN Breeders Race Day is always enjoyable and the connections all have a great day - its wonderful to see the crowds arrive donning their black and white and we are so fortunate to have a public in Durban that just love their racing.

  
Who is the best horse you have seen?
For me it has be to Abashiri. He blew me away when I saw him on Champions Day in the Parade ring and it was an honour and such an emotional moment to see him take the Triple Crown - of course, I had seen photos of him and watched his races, but those do not do the horse justice - he really needs to be seen in the flesh. He is one of those horses that just grabs your eye and has immense presence, and of course Mike Azzie's horses are always so magnificently turned out and prepared.  

What are some of your goals for the future?
I am always looking to improve, particularly on the photography side of things. 2016 has been a year filled with so many wonderful and positive experiences. I am looking forward to what 2017 has to offer!