Very sad news, thoughts with the family
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MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE
14 MAY 2008
Cape trainer James Lightheart died suddenly this morning (Wednesday) at the age of 66 at his Milnerton stables. He had suffered ill-health recently and had been briefly hospitalised two months ago with heart and kidney problems. Lightheart, who enjoyed a successful training career spanning some 40 years, was known as a private person who shunned publicity and the limelight.
Tributes poured in today from colleagues and industry associates. Chairman of the Western Province Owners and trainers Association Rodney Dunn said that Lightheart would be sorely missed as a true character and longstanding trainer who had enjoyed success and shown tremendous affinity with horses from limited opportunities.
Gold Circle Western Cape Chapter Chairman Ashraf Mohamed said that the suddenness of Lightheart’s death had shocked him deeply: “I spoke to him at Durbanville on Tuesday afternoon and he was as usual in high spirits. A highly capable and respected horseman who enjoyed maintaining a low profile, he has been around our racecourses longer than most people and was a part of the fabric of Cape racing. On behalf of Gold Circle I extend our sincere condolences to his family and we share their grief at a very sad time.”
Lightheart enjoyed his halcyon years in the 1980’s and 1990’s and major performers that come to mind include the brilliant son of Jungle Warrior, Western Rocket, who won the 1994 JWS Langerman and Computaform Stakes of the same year as well as the 1995 Cape Derby Futurity. One of his favourite horses was Bushmanland who was the darling of Cape racegoers for many years and won the 1995 Matchem Stakes as well as the Argus Bloodline Guineas. He went on to become a sire who from limited opportunity produced 15 winners from 34 runners. Best known of these is the filly Taking It Deep who was graded race placed and the Dominic Zaki trained Godsmustbecrazy.
Lightheart also trained San Louis who won the 1981 Richelieu Guineas while his best filly was 1995 Durbanville Oaks winner Noble Prophet, currently a successful broodmare.
While as yet unconfirmed, James’ sister Brigitte Rees-Gibbs speculated yesterday that it was likely that his son Paul would continue with the training operation.
James Godfrey Lighheart is survived by his wife Sylvia, sons Gary and Paul as well as daughters Tania, Tracy and Ellen, two sisters and five grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were not available at time of going to press.
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