SA’s best-known owner, Chris van Niekerk, dropped a bombshell on Wednesday when his son Erich revealed his father was quitting the sport.

In an interview with Business Day, Erich van Niekerk said: “My Dad has had a long and successful innings [in racing], but he has made the decision to no longer have horses racing in his colours.

“He has given all his horses that are in training with Sean Tarry Racing to Sean. He will, however, maintain his breeding interests, notably with Klawervlei Stud,” said Van Niekerk.

Van Niekerk and Tarry teamed up in 1998 and the last 23 years has resulted in one of the most successful partnerships in the history of SA racing. Tarry’s career total of wins stands at 2,346 and include 60 grade 1 successes. Many of these were owned by Van Niekerk, who has been Equus Champion Owner three times.

His famous blue-and-red colours have been carried to victory in two Durban July races — Pomodoro winning in 2012 and Heavy Metal in 2013. After his second win, Van Niekerk quipped to reporters: “I could get used to this.”

Business Day