Carl Burger joins the SA training ranks.by Leon Setaro

Carl Burger (center) is now a licensed SA racehorse
trainer as of 27th May2009

Lifelong racing man Carl Burger was granted a trainer’s license last month after passing his trainer’s exam on the 27th May. He’s already up and running with 12 boxes at Gold Circle’s Phillipi training establishment in Cape Town and has the option of 12 more boxes to follow. Currently he has 5 horses in training, as well as a number of unraced babies waiting in the wings. I caught up with Carl for some Q&A..

How long have you been interested/involved in horse racing, and how did you get into the game?
Horseracing has been my lifelong passion, I was introduced to it as a young boy but you could say that horseracing was part of the family. Having grown up surrounded by the euphoria horseracing provided, it was an inevitable realization of a dream. My step-father Jimmy Knox was legendary in the game, first as a jockey and then as an assistant trainer. He once said to me, ‘My boy the day you have your first winner will be the day of many realizations’ and I guess the sheer jubilation and satisfaction on his face and the sincerity in his words, propelled me into fulfilling this passion.

What is your past work experience?
Went to Farriers' school from 1980-1983. Worked for Herman Brown and Syd Laird as a farrier. While working at Herman Brown back in the 80’s my step-father was working for Johnny McCreedy and I attended first string at McCreedy at 4am then off to Herman Brown’s first string. I have also worked for Selwyn Moodley as a stable employee, and for both Weiho Marwing and Riaan Van Reenen as assistant trainer. I attended many yearling sales with Herman Brown and Jimmy Knox learning what to look for when buying a racehorse.

I remember a year or two back you were involved in a serious car accident, how has it effected your outlook and life in general?
I was travelling to Namibia a week before Christmas in 2007 and about 600km from Windhoek I had a tyre burst and rolled my car, ended up in a coma for about a month. After waking up I realised the extent of my injuries and that in fact a month has gone by already. I definitely appreciate the sacredness of life more as a result of what happened and the accident has made me value life a lot more. I realise that I am one of the fortunate ones. I can safely say that the reality of the situation and learning that I was closer to death’s door than I realised lead to an epiphany. I was overcome with this urge and desire to make the most of what I have, to pursue my passion and fulfill my dreams. The fact that GOD was so determined to get me back here in this life has probably been the greatest inspiration...

What else can you tell us about Carl Burger?
I’m an avid cook…ask my wife she’s never in the kitchen anymore. I love my dogs, 3 German Shepherds they are the 3 youngest kids. I love to travel I’m a keen discoverer so different countries at different times of the year tickles me. I remember in 1966 at Blue Lagoon beach when Sea Cottage was shot, my father Louise Burger was the first policeman on the scene, hence the name of my first horse Louise’s Pride.

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Carl Burger has a Facebook group called ‘Powerhouse racing stables’ that displays the personal message - ‘I have done everything in life that I always wanted to do, my ultimate goal was to be a racehorse trainer so I have taken it with both hands. Thanks to Selvan and Mr Roy Moodley who gave me the chance and thanks to my teachers Herman Brown Snr, and to the late Syd Laird and Jimmy Knox, I promise I will do my best to get to the top and to all the people who assisted me along the way thanks I will be forever grateful for your support. Cheers for now Carl’

Visit Powerhouse Racing Stables HERE




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Welcome Carl.I hope you make it - you are passionate and crazy enough to make it work.

Hell, I am sure Stan Elley and Stephen Page are over the moon..........!

One thing i must tell when i first came to cape town stephen help me gave me five bales of oathay when i went to take it back he said its ok and never mind what happened between us at heart he is still a good guy and he has horses at heart as for stan i hope he wins the july with kapil and one thing i never forget people that help me because i come from nothing from the streets of greyville and i have a lot of friends back home that wish me well when i go home next week we all go for dinner and i pay may it 20 guys or more in durban i have lots of brothers that are not doing well i have open hands to give god blessed me in what i have today a good friend called me friday and asked me if he could sell a watch i give him because he had no money when i told him it cost 3 thousand pound he was shocked so i sent him 5 grand to keep him going if i have winner i give everybody something that way in life you give you get thats why i have been lucky in my life racing is a passion not a bussiness for me diamonds and gold is my bussiness so god bless

Cheers Carlos and all the best for the future.

Well done on getting your license CJB i know that this is a life long dream being realised and wish you all the very best I cant wait for that first interview,may you have many many winners bud and hopefully see you at Sabiya sales this week end??

Hi Carlos!

it's people like you that racing needs to prove that there is still life, compassion, humility and honesty in the game, besides bringing all together as one family without any agendas or compromising on your beliefs!

Suppose that's why the Boss upstairs gave you another lease?

You IS IZ IS going to do very well!

Your first winner is going to be Louise Pride, I reckon!

thanks guys now send the good horses

Nice one Carlos.

Carl has his first runners at Durbanville on Tuesday,his First runner is the aptly named "First time"..

Carl says "yes first time but all horses are fit and well might need the runs but we never know what can happen an once of luck is like a ton of gold"


Goodluck...

All the best Carl.

7/1, 33/1 and 40/1 on offer on Carl`s chances of a debut winner atm..

Keep it real Carlos and you will go a long way. Maintain your honesty and keep your integrity in check at all times. Don't be bullied and don't bully and you will end up a success story .

All the best !!