SCOTIA AFTER THE WEEKEND.

Good morning to the CLAN and hope your weekend was as good as Scotia's?

I finished on a high last night,by watching Lord of the Dance, great synchronised dancing, certainly more enjoyable than synchronised swimming. We hit the Ocean Basket before the show and as normal a good meal had by all, so a great end to the weekend.

The big T as always was good on Sat, they had an Arabian theme , plus the Afrikaans food on the mini game farm on Friday night was superb, so I am ready for a diet this week will try and last to Thursday night, where I am invited to a 5 star meal and whisky tasting evening. I just remembered, out of town visitors on Tuesday evening, but Monday and Wednesday should lose a couple of kilos?

On the subject of horses looking forward to York this week, was speaking to a few punters/owners from overseas and I know we are always complaining about S.A. but just consider the following.
Keeping in my positive frame of mind,I still say we are spoilt when we go racing locally, if you consider the facilities, cost of food etc, and to do the same overseas it costs an arm and a leg.
I was given the following info and I stand under correction? We pay R5,000 per month for a horse and if it wins a maiden we get R40,000, enough to keep it in training for 8 months.
In the U.K. and States it costs 1,200 GBP per month and the Maiden win is 3,000, not enough to cover 3 months.
I am sure this can become a hot topic on the Forum, but please give me your views and comments, plus you may have some more facts.
It is still my belief that we still have plenty opportunities in S.A. to bring more people into the racing game, especially if you consider the prices at the sales over the last couple of days?

The Olympics have been great and the highlight was Bolt, plus Phelps, but nothing from S.A.

I am going to the U.K. at the end of the month for a flying visit to celebrate my Mums 80th, unfortunately we had some bad news over the last couple of weeks and Mum has to have an operation 2 days after her birthday, so I am extending the trip to be with her.

Racing today is at the Vaal for a change and remember to post your fancies.

The competition "blackpearlracing" is heating up with GSM finding 5 from 6 winners, well done Gerald.

The soccer still has one week to go as it was a trial run this weekend and I am sure we can make the 25 entrants.

Good punting and may your God be with you.

SCOTIA

Dave, and that £1200 is with a small trainer - I believe the average is around £1500 and the 'biggies' want in excess of £2k+ (R30k!)

Not forgetting that to get an avg Horse, decently bred = £30-50,000 and running as you say for around the same winners purse!

People think I'm mad for owning SA Horses, I personally think that I'm ahead of the curve!

Quite simply in SA 'we' (4 owners) 'bought' and 'Stable' our Horse for what it cost for only ONE Leg in UK, running for the same money!!!

Of course where it does differ is if your Horse ends up semi-decent in the UK, you run for over R300 for a good handicap as opposed to R100-150k here. And if you have Group Class than the money gets 'extreme' - lol!

In which case, you win what you can in SA and then test against the best @Dubai, Oz, UK or USA ala Jay Peg, Sun Classique JJ etc.

Respectfully, Jim.

Happy belated birthday Mom, hope u are on your road to recovery. Dave safe trip and enjoy.