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Posted 2017-03-13 09:26:34  
Ladies in Racing - Sue Snaith


LADIES IN RACING –SUE SNAITH

SA Horseracing spoke to Sue Snaith, the matriarch of the tremendously successful training family.
Married to former trainer Chris (whose numerous big race wins included the 1991 July with Flaming Rock), Sue’s son Justin, Champion Trainer in, is currently one of South Africa’s leading trainers, while brother Jonathan also plays a leading role in the Snaith yard.

Sue herself is an accomplished horse-women, who hails from a family who enjoyed plenty of success at the racetrack.

Are you from a racing family?

Yes l am – my mother was born Jenny Henwood and the Henwood family from Kwa-Zulu Natal trained the July winner twice.

How did you get involved in racing?

l rode horses from a very young age and competed in the show ring. My uncle Len Henwood taught me how to ride “jockey style” when I was a school girl and l was selected to ride in the first South African Ladies’ Race at Clairwood Racecourse when I was in my final year at school. In preparation for the race, I rode in the morning before school for Fred Rickaby at Summerveld and at the Jockey’s academy in the afternoon. That was my introduction to racing ...


When and how did you meet Chris?
I left Natal to train as a nurse at Groote Schuur Hospital and missed the horses so much that I looked up the yellow pages for a stable where I could hire a horse and go out for a ride . The stable happened to be the one run by my husband-to-be, Chris, and his friend, leading trainer, Mike Bass . Chris said that l looked a lot like one of the riders that stabled in their yard. The rider happened to be my half-sister, Jenny Haytread, that l had never met as our father, a pilot, had been killed in Zimbabwe when we were both young and we had been brought up by our mothers in different provinces in South Africa. When Chris and l married, Mike Bass was our best man and Jenny one of my bridesmaids. All of us remain close to this day. The horses were clearly in the family genes and my niece Belinda is as horsey as my sons are!

What has changed in racing since you first got involved?
A great deal has changed in racing. It lacks the vibe and crowds of the old days. I am sure that TV has had a great deal to do with that and off course totes.


What was your favourite moment in racing thus far?

Winning the July with Chris (with Flaming Rock), and later twice with Justin (Dancer’s Daughter, Legislate), as well as breaking the world record on Met day the following year.

 

What part do you play in the yard?
I have taken a back seat in the yard but I still hold my Assistant Trainer’s License and help whenever needed – mainly in Durban as I have done the Durban season so many times. These days l still enjoy going to horse sales with the stable team, both overseas and locally. I competed for years in the show ring, so have an eye for conformation and faults which helps enormously when picking young horses.

 

What is the hardest part of working with horses?
The long hours ... but working with horses is my passion, so l don’t mind. The hard part are the sacrifices you have to make as the horses are a full-time occupation including weekends, Christmas etc. It is tough on family but it binds the family and requires family commitment, which is why many successful yards are family run yards.


Do you have a favourite race/raceday and if so why?
The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate! It is such a classy affair.

Do you have a favourite horse in the yard?
l love all the horses – that is my problem ! All-time favourite racehorse would have to be Flaming Rock or Gimmethegreenlight and then Idris for being such a versatile horse. He simply won on the track, in the show ring, jumping and in dressage . In fact, l think that he must be the only horse to have won Supreme Champion in the morning and then the Feature race in the afternoon . He was so popular as a lead horse at Kenilworth for so many years that there was an obituary in the paper when he passed away of old age.

Were Justin and Jonathan always keen on racing?
Justin and Jonathan were born into racing as we always trained privately and lived at our stables. Jonathan did his B Com with the intention of working in marketing or finance but loved the racing so much that he has used his degree to market the stable and to keep the finances in check at the yard. Justin always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and went to Australia to work with David Hayes soon after leaving school. He returned to our stables and has been in the top league of trainers in South Africa ever since. I have no doubt that Jonathan is just as capable of training a horse as Justin, but they have each found their niche and work extremely well as a team.

Would you like to see your grandchildren get involved in racing?
Grandchildren ... I would leave it entirely up to them and their parents but, already, young as they are, I can see that they have the “gift” with animals . It is most definitely in the genes! They have no fear whatsoever of animals . It is a joy to watch and observe them!

What would you like changed in racing?
I would like to see more people attend the races and enjoy the outing. Some say that young people find it boring as it is a long day, so it should be made a fun day out, like one day cricket, that draws in the crowds.

 

What advice would you give a first time owner or anyone interesting in get involved in racing?
A first time owner must be patient, have faith in the trainer as he or she wants to win as much as you do! Visit your horses, if you can, as they love the attention, and bring them treats like carrots . We as trainers do not have the time to pamper them as much as we would like to and all animals thrive on attention.

 

Has any one person inspired you in racing?
Pat O'Neill is delightfully eccentric and knowledgeable but she did not give a damn what people said or thought of her in racing circles, and loved her horses and animals as much as I love mine. I remember rescuing horses with her many years ago, and I am still involved in rescuing horses to this day.

 


What do you credit for the great success that the Snaith yard has enjoyed over the years?
I would say that it is our unorthodox ways that have worked for us and still do to this day. We do not believe in training a horse out of a box nor keeping them in isolation. Horses are herd animals and enjoy company. We do not put our horses with sheep or just any animal, but keep them with their own kind.
We like our horses to have a sense of freedom. Most stables have chains on stable doors now, but it was unheard of when we requested it years ago. We take horses to the beach often. They go in our float so that they associate a trip in the float with a fun time and so it is not stressful for them to travel. They love the beach like most people and animals do.

What was it like being involved with 8 on a day on Met day?
A very proud moment indeed.

The Snaith yard is known for is transparency and the way they have bought many new young people to the track.

Do you think racing is doing enough to continue this trend?
Jonathan has worked very hard at bringing young people to the track, especially through his work with the Queen’s Plate. I do believe that more can be done generally. Racing must not be boring . Have some fun as they do at cricket as l said earlier and maybe something like little goodie bags. People love surprises even if it is a trinket or a betting voucher.

 

 

 

 

 

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