Graeme Hawkins -Racings Rockstar

READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON SPORTINGPOST



“The grey hair is very much a Hawkins family thing but I have no doubt that being involved in horseracing my entire life has sped up the process!” Gold Circle’s Racing and Marketing Executive Graeme Hawkins is South Africa’s foremost racing administrator. After an intimate love affair with the sport of kings spanning some fifty years, he has learnt to both laugh and cry – but always to bounce back boldly and positively, and get on with the job.

Punter, owner, bilingual race-caller, racing journalist, television presenter, auctioneer, track expert, race programme planner, pedigree researcher, marketer, salesman, administrator – it’s no wonder that, for many of us, Graeme Hawkins is Mr Racing.

At this stage, the only roles he looks unlikely to fulfil in this lifetime are riding or training a July winner!

And what a pleasure it is to talk to a racing official who actually readily admits to reading what is being said in the media and whose door is open to constructive criticism.

The man is one of a rare breed!
Communication

“Yes, I do read all media reports – good and bad! One can’t run this business without knowing what everyone is thinking,” he says with a refreshing sense of genuine sincerity.

But if that is Graeme the individual – what of the industry’s general attitude to communication?

“If I may blow Gold Circle’s trumpet, I do believe we handle our PR and engage with the media in a competent manner. But as a collective, I think we can do a much better job. Being honest and open is always a good way to start.”

In my opinion Mr Racing is good for the game much the same as Clyde, both have racing at heart and are passionate and knowledgeable about racing.

Have said it many times ...............If I wanted to discuss the pro's and con's of the game at any time ,He is who I would want to do it with ..................the most pragmatic person I have ever listened to on Tellytrack (I agree Dave that Clyde is not too far behind)

There are some wonderful people in racing, just a pity that most of the one's who love and understand racing have little pull in decision making.

Being forced to toe the line is an empty existence in what should be many people's dream positions.

Combining a love of the game with solid marketing knowledge can really propel racing again but it needs financial support which will not be easily forthcoming.

Racing needs real believers with firm views, strong principles and the will to back them up against constant criticism. Not a road that many would be willing to walk when in receipt of a pay check.

so tell me if gh is all this and more why isn't he a director on the board of gold circle???????????????????????????????looking at the 12 directors on the board its like leaving ab de Villiers out the titans cricket team nevermind the national team

pirates wrote: so tell me if gh is all this and more why isn't he a director on the board of gold circle???????????????????????????????looking at the 12 directors on the board its like leaving ab de Villiers out the titans cricket team nevermind the national team

gee a few days down the line and nobody got the baitzim to answer the question..par

Oh dear........Rock Star, now that was a good horse trained by Herman Brown Sent many moons ago!!!

However....................In this statement issued by the RA in 2001 when the " rockstar " was GM of the RA.

Quote........

A major project to upgrade facilities and widen the track is to be undertaken at Turfies while Newmarket will be closed at the end of the year in terms of P strategy to optimise its asses.
The decision to close and sell Nmkt is a logical business move that has the backing of the RA and stems from the fact that highveld racing obtains insufficient usage from its 4 courses.

Once Nmkt closes, race meetings that would have been held there will be accom at Turffies and the Vaal THUS OBTAINING BETTER USAGE from these 2 venues.

THE VAAL WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO ACCOMODATE MANY MORE MEETINGS THAN AT PRESENT AS A RESULT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SAND RACING SURFACE WHICH IS ON SCHEDULE TO BE COMPLETED In JULY 2001.

THE SAND TRACK WHICH WILL REVOLUTIONISE RACING IN THIS COUNTRY.

Unquote,................

Dream on and keep on rocking with the rockstar, certainly many of the fans as per the above posts love the performances .

PS. Regret the lack of performances at the Vaal Sand due to technical hitches. :lol:

mikesack wrote: Oh dear........Rock Star, now that was a good horse trained by Herman Brown Sent many moons ago!!!

However....................In this statement issued by the RA in 2001 when the " rockstar " was GM of the RA.

Quote........

A major project to upgrade facilities and widen the track is to be undertaken at Turfies while Newmarket will be closed at the end of the year in terms of P strategy to optimise its asses.
The decision to close and sell Nmkt is a logical business move that has the backing of the RA and stems from the fact that highveld racing obtains insufficient usage from its 4 courses.

Once Nmkt closes, race meetings that would have been held there will be accom at Turffies and the Vaal THUS OBTAINING BETTER USAGE from these 2 venues.

THE VAAL WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO ACCOMODATE MANY MORE MEETINGS THAN AT PRESENT AS A RESULT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SAND RACING SURFACE WHICH IS ON SCHEDULE TO BE COMPLETED In JULY 2001.

THE SAND TRACK WHICH WILL REVOLUTIONISE RACING IN THIS COUNTRY.

Unquote,................

Dream on and keep on rocking with the rockstar, certainly many of the fans as per the above posts love the performances .

PS. Regret the lack of performances at the Vaal Sand due to technical hitches. :lol:

Deliberate slip ? !! :whistle:

I have met Graeme twice and he is the nicest guy. He is clearly passionate about racing and is a pleasure to mix with socially. I would rather have him heading up racing in my province than some suit.