Bulana Thread

I believe that legislation is a mistake. You cannot make a law that says someone must be a pilot or a surgeon, or a big business owner or an entrepreneur.

But if we have 150 trainers and barely any that represent the demographics of the country, you can take poison that it's a question of opportunity. Training at the level of champions takes a person with special ability, but for the most part things take dedication and perseverance and a bit of luck.

The government has stepped into some programs that uplift grooms in the breeding industry. There are many grooms who have worked with horses in this country for years and are tremendously experienced. The Dept of Trade and Industry lept at the opportunity to get involved as soon as there was some suggestions from the breeders. As government, they don't have a clue how to breed a racehorse, but the minute education and training was mentioned, they hauled out the chequebook and just wanted to see a formal and structured program which showed how and where the money would go.

The thing is that they are more inclined to try and supply fishing rods than fish fingers.

If the experience of the breeders is anything to go by, then I believe that if the "industry" built a program that created opportunities, that the government would add their weight where they can. What the industry has to do if set up a body (which is fielded from the big swinging dicks in racing) whose function it will be to plan how to get the required changes going. Of course, we need to know what we want first.

I am sure the great Gary Player has been involved with many projects along these lines?

Maybe they should build a racecourse in a black area! Im sure they could find a cheap piece of land.

Building a racecourse in a black area, must be similar to proposing a casino in a black area.

It really is a fat cat sport, I'd have to go with a school or a sports field.

Racing is a 'glossy' sport, it serves no real purpose other than to serve itself. While I love it the way others may love smoking, it's not the type of thing to force on poor communities. Historically it was a way something the mindlessly rich would squander their money on, and the by-product is the poor slobs could get some pleasure watching the show.

It all went to pot when the 'rich' fellers thought they could turn it into a business. Happily there are still Sheiks, Queens and Magnets who are happy to spend away.

I gather by this thread Bennet Bulana is not white.

Shattered thought of putting horses with him when he arrived in JHB but heaven forbid a groom looking after my horse.