SA Horseracing recently spoke to Kathi Kotzen, the wife of leading trainer Glen Kotzen, about her connections to racing, her love of the sport, and her memories of the wonderful Big City Life.

What is your family connection to racing?

My parents Judy(nee Southey) and Michael Wintle started a stud farm called Sunrise Stud in the 70’s after I started riding at the Moly Joyce – Botten’s riding school in Philippi.  Moly encouraged my family’s involvement in horse racing through the Cape Hunt and Polo Club amateur meetings.  My mum rode her own horse Non Skid in one of amateur races and slowly started building her band of broodmares. My parent’s highlight of their breeding career culminated in the breeding of Big City Life winner of the Vodacom Durban July in 2009.

Were you always interested in the sport? 

My first love was dressage as I was a very keen competitor.  But on the periphery I kept my eye on horseracing and attended many race meetings and sales events with my parents. 

How did you meet Glen?

Glen was an assistant trainer to Ralf and Val Rixon and followed them back from Natal after a winter season and settled in the Cape.  Glen was part of a large circle of friends which we shared and after being friends for a few years we met at Kenilworth one day and courted until we married in 1993.

What is your role in the stable?

Woodhill Racing has grown tremendously over two decades and the business is structured into the business and training operation.  I head up the business side together with Cheryl Boyd as stable office manager/human resources, Vicky Minott in Client liaison, Kuyan Kotzen in Public Relations and we have an offsite social media team. The racing operation is managed by Glen, Mazenyo Mathabazi, Janene Newlands and Lunga Gila.  The business and training operation work together like a well-oiled ship.  Our staff are all highly capable horsemen and are all interchangeable within the company and this makes it so easy to work together with the horses best interest a priority.

What was it like being involved with Big City Life? What made him so special?

“Big” was born and raised at Woodhill – he lived in the paddock overlooked by our home and he was always standing at the gate wanting human interaction – he really did choose us to be his family. “Big” was a human horse – the kindest sweetest horse you could have the pleasure of working with.  Models would pose with him in their beautiful long dresses and high heels before the running of the July and he would just gaze into the future.  He was a gentleman and we were privileged to have him share his glory with us.

Who are the current stable stars? 

Gold Standard is an exceptionally talented colt and he will contend later in the season. Banner Hill has matured into a top stayer and is being aimed at the Vodacom Durban July. Final Judgement will by flying the flag for the fillies in the Guineas this year and Glen reports he has the most exciting crop of two and three year olds of his career. 

What was your best day racing?

 A surreal moment to treasure with Big City Life winning the Vodacom Durban July in 2009 and Lady Windermere winning the Garden Province on the same day.

Do you have/had a favourite horse in the yard, and if so, why?

I have a very soft spot for our retired champ Ghostly Galleon who is 24 years old and still works with the babies and any difficult horses.  He looks simply amazing for his age.

What is the hardest part of racing and working with horses in general?

 I don’t look at anything as hard, every profession has its ups and downs and I keep my head down and keep paddling.  Glen and I love the equine so it is our pleasure to work with them every single day.  They canter past my bedroom or breakfast table every morning and I see that opportunity as a gift.

What is your favourite race day?

 The L’Ormarins Queens Plate for being such a sophisticated, elegant day, The Sun Met for being such a colourful truly Capetonian event, and The Vodacom Durban July for pure excitement.

Has anyone/anything inspired you in particular in racing?

My father Michael for pure hard work, honesty and work ethic, my Mum Judy’s dedication to the wellbeing of every horse she cared for and still caring for well into her 70’s,  Val and Ralf Rixon for their professionalism in racing and Gary Player for making sure we all understand how adversity builds a good human. Glen for  a wonderful affinity with horses and his attention to detail with each horse is uncanny – our grooms call him Magoba which means “a man with eyes at the back of his head” and he has taught me not to miss a thing when it comes to stable management. Glen’s dad Nathan for teaching us all the old forgotten techniques and remedies. And last but not certainly the least “The Horse” – the trust they have in humans is simply unbelievable and my life has been enriched immensely through working with them.

Do you feel that women in horse-racing face a lot of sexism?  
No not at all.

What advice would you give a first-time owner?  
Never rush a racehorse or he will make you wait.

Do you feel enough is being done to bring new people into the game? 
My dad was complaining 35 years ago being a PR man that more should be done to encourage new people.  It is a difficult one as the industry as tried numerous routes but horse racing is a culture which needs to be natured.  That’s where the Cape Hunt and Polo played a vital role when I was a young girl. Open Day’s in yard would go a long way in promoting the game to the public.  In Britain this is sponsored through industry and on Easter Monday many a yard was open to the public.

What would you like to see changed in horse-racing?  
The world is changing faster than I can type but I would love to see international competition with our champions commuting around the world seamlessly – the Cape as a venue can hold its own anywhere on the world stage and imagine a field of world class equine champs on our shore.  Into the future it would be fascinating to see how positively technology is going to influence our industry.

Are your children interested in racing?

Our children love racing. Kuyan is employed by Woodhill in the PR department.  However you will often see him out trucking a horse or helping out in the yard. Kirra has just started her first year of studying at Vega after a stooge year in the UK and Liam is in matric and is an accomplished farmer with many sheep, cattle and chickens being raised ethically at Woodhill.