DE KOCK ON KEEPING TRACK

I agree with certain views regarding Mdk's attitude towards the so called lesser trainers.
It seems the humility is no longer synonomous with Mdk, but this is only my opinion.

Also I noticed that a huge % of horses in training with MDK, is part owned by him as well. Interesting to say the least

De Kock's contribution to SA racing is monumental.
He should be remembered for that but he does does himself no favours with these sort of remarks.
Humility is an under-rated trait, (hey, Gary Player !).

I can't believe I am reading this.

1) MdK did not belittle or berate Basil,but commented that he felt H brown's role had not recieved enough credit.(puffin,do you not agree that the horse improved in Dubai)At no stage did he suggest that Basil would not have achieved as much,if he had been in Dubai.
2)If you interview a man,whose views should he air?
3)He IS the king of SA racing Mori.....you should have been a detective.He has lifted our racing to another level(ask the breeders)
4)With his CV I don't think he actually gives a f--k about the opinions of this highly qualified group

thanks rob for a minute i thought my ears were failing me

Rob ,for sure he belittled basil.He made an unsubstantiated comment the horse lost 20 kgs in Dubai....utter bull..he lost 5kg.He implied basil would not have achieved what herman did,they achieved the victory together as basil sent a sound horse with meat on the bone for herman to work with.As i said take nothing away from hermans achievement and now he is reaping the rewards...Dr Hay etc.

Puffin,it is a relative thing. So he weighed 5 kg less as a 4yr old than as a 3yr old.That is significant.
Don't misunderstand me.I,and Rob knuppe moved Camdens choice to Basil and I rate him highly.
I just feel that MdK's comments have been unfairly judged!

Im with you Rob he said nothing to put down Basil Marcus..I agree that Herman did a great job on the horse which is all he was asked to do..Anton tactically won the race with a brilliant ride for which he has recieved all due praise..Basil has recieved the rest of the praise..and the guy who trained the horse to win wasnt even interviewed..thats ridiculous! At least Marsh when interviewed at the NYS came out and gave Herman Brown the praise he deserved for getting the horse ready to win.

If MDK wants to make an observation..good for him, he stands for what he says and is not scared like most guys who are so careful in what they say in case they upset the powers that be..so many trainers are unhappy with the way racing is run but will only make comments behind closed doors..I do feel for them though but at least Mike says his mind not only now but since he started training.
PS Puffin Dr Hay joined up with Herman long before JP's win.

I agree with Rob and Oscar. MDK did not put Basil down, but he questioned why Herman did not get more credit. It just happened to be my own observation, watching the events of the past month, prior to MDK saying this.

can we please not talk blind.. it was unfortunate that the coverage that we got in south africa never told the full story.. the press approach basil for an interview and it is rude to have no comment... the coverage here did not show that Basil was not involved in the presentation of the trophey...there is a differents in the cas of Jay Peg compaired to other horses.. as it is not simply a business agreement.. Basil and Herman friendship has spanned many decades.. and what a special night for all... Basil is humble and always shows respect as he is a true gentleman... as is herman.. it would have been more appropriate that negativity is not highlighted.. we should rather celebrate a great night for South African racing

Well said Hooves.

Ditto Hooves

Just a few thoughts about what as transpired in this discussion. Lets all go back to basics here. Racing is more about one race, one trainer, one horse and one jockey. What happened a fortnight ago was amazing for the country. Recognition has come to the forefront, but what people don’t realize is everyone deserves to be recognised from the grooms, to the people who attend races. It is a collective effort that makes it possible for our small country to succeed on the international stage. If it were not for absolutely everyone that shares the passion of horse racing, it would not have been possible to reach the heights we have. South African racing needs ambassadors that embrace the whole industry, and share the success of our horses. There is so much effort spent on trying to crush everyone’s happiness, if half that energy was used to make the rest of our country aware that Horse Racing is an incredible sport, not only do the rugby and cricket teams represent our great nation. Our horses can carry the flag, and can make us all proud. Racing is experiencing such growth again lets pull together and prove that anything is possible if we dream as one.