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Posted 2017-04-17 09:58:49  
LADIES IN RACING-SHARON PATTERSON

SA Horse Racing recently took time out to chat to Sharon Patterson, whose career has seen her work with such top horses as Ipi Tombe, Match Winner and Louis The King!


Are you from a racing Background?

No, I started riding when I was 6 years old, and was a successful show jumper. I started riding work at the age of 16 in Lusaka, Zambia and rode in Amateur Races both on the flat and over hurdles.

 

Are your family involved in Racing

When I first started training, my Dad was my biggest supporter and my first winner was in his colours.

My son Sean Paterson’s dream was to become a jockey, but due to a freak work accident in his 2nd year apprenticeship Sean sustained a kick to the head whilst holding a horse, which ended that dream. Sean then went on to become a top Work Rider, travelling all over the world until that career was also cruelly ended when a horse he was riding broke its leg in a Work Rider’s race, and Sean sustained a serious neck fracture. Sean is very involved in the day to day running of our yard ‘The Bayshore Barn’.

My husband Peter Patterson has been involved in horseracing since 1961, when he started his Jockey Apprenticeship. When Peter’s riding career came to an end, he became a Stipendiary Steward going on to become Chief Steward in Zimbabwe, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Peter also did a 2 year stint stewarding in Macau (near Honk Kong). On our return to South Africa Peter became Liaison Manager for Phumelela G&L. Now Peter is very involved in the daily running of ‘The Bayshore Barn’.

 

How did you get involved in racing?

From a very early age I became interested in Thoroughbred Breeding and Bloodlines – compiling my own Stud Book from all the Racing results published in the Sunday Times Newspaper. I have a good Library of Breeding books including a complete set of the South African Stud books.  From 1976 till I started training in 1983, I worked for Robin Bruss & Peter Lovemore at Rhodesian Bloodstock (later Robin Bruss Bloodstock), compiling pedigrees for the main South African Sales (all done by hand as there weren’t any Computers then!)

I first started riding work for trainers Derek Ebben and Roy Magner at Lusaka Turf Club, and then went on to ride in Amateur Races. After a year in Northern Ireland (show jumping), I returned to Zambia and applied and got the job as Secretary of the Copperbelt Turf Club and then went on to marry a jockey.

 

What was your first job in Racing?

Secretary to the Copperbelt Turf Club, Kitwe, Zambia

 

What services do you provide for your clients?

My family run a Backing/R ‘n R Yard called ‘The Bayshore Barn’ (named after a good horse I trained - BAYSHORE TOWERS - bred by Robin Bruss), where I take care of +/40 horses that are stabled with me to be backed and pre-trained or in re-hab after surgery/ or treatment for injuries. Some animals just come for a rest to rejuvenate them.  WINDIGO is a good example of our successful rehabilitation service is – his owner was advised to either spend a large amount on an operation or put him down! After 6 weeks at the Barn the horse went back into training and to date he has had 15 starts for 6 wins (2 Features) and 7 places (3 in Graded events); another prime example of what we can do is a 3x winner STORM SURF came to the Barn with a fractured knee – with lots of TLC & holistic treatment he went back to his trainer as a 5yo and won another 7 races on the KZN Polytrack, racing until he was 8 years old.

I also run a full end- to-end accounting business for owners’ racing accounts to include VAT services and trainers’ monthly accounts.

 

You are often active at Sales around the Country – tell me a little more about what you do

I offer a Sales Service, viewing, appraising pedigrees and selecting horses for my clients to purchase. As a result of my recommendation to my clients have purchased as IPI TOMBE, MATCH WINNER, LOUIS THE KING, BAYSHORE TOWERS, NEW CONQUEST and many more.

 

Do you have a favourite racetrack/raceday?

Borrowdale Park, Harare, Zimbabwe – Castle Tankard Day, I have won The Castle Tankard 3 times in 10 years.

 

Where are you based?
Randjesfontein, Midrand, Johannesburg 

 

Which is the best horse you have ever been involved with?

 

A. In South Africa

 

DANCEWITHTHEDEVIL and LOUIS THE KING.

 

B. In Zimbabwe

 

My Nissr Colt MATCHWINNER (bred by Geoff Armitage at Sandown Stud). I purchased him for Z$10,000 and he won 7 races including the Zimbabwe Triple Crown Winner and The Castle Tankard as a 3 year old, before he moved to Roy Magner at The Vaal. In his first start in South Africa he ran 2nd to ENCHANTED GARDEN, in the John Skeaping Trophy and then went on to run 4th to MODEL MAN in the Barclays (Gr1)

 

Who is the best horse you have ever seen

AMERICAN PHARAOH

 

Who or what has inspired you in Racing

 

Who

Zimbabwe –     Mrs Dubbles Draper  - a truly amazing Lady Trainer & my Mentor

            Roy Magner – who trusted me, as a complete ‘rooky’ to take over his very                                             successful training establishment when he re-located to South Africa.

 

South Africa-   Geoff Woodruff - one of the finest horseman & gentlemen I have met

            Diane de Kock - for her tireless dedication to her employees, her horses & their yard.

 

What

My love of horses and a strong belief that “Happy, Healthy, Sound Horses win Races”

 

What would you like changed in the Sport?

For the NHRA to take back control and to level the playing field for the big owners, trainers & breeders to the small owners, trainers & breeders



How has Horse Racing changed since you first got involved?

In the past horseracing was a sport, it was for the love and enjoyment of the animal and the sport , but now it is just a business – all about making money.

  1. What are your goals/ambitions in racing?

To continue to produce top horses and to make their lives happy; the health and happiness of the horse always comes first.

  1. What advice would you give a first time owner?

Enjoy the sport of horseracing, have fun enjoy your horses and never over extend yourself

 

 

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