Racing. It's a Rush: Press Release
Subject: Ormond Ferraris Chalks Up Winner Number 2500
Date: 14 March 2016
The legendary Turffontein-based trainer Ormond Ferraris had his 2500th
career winner on Saturday at Turffontein and it was fitting it occurred in
a feature race, the Listed Drum Star Handicap over 1800m, with the
three-year-old classic contender Romany Prince, who was ridden by Muzi
Yeni.
Twice a South African champion trainer Ferraris said, “It's a great
feeling. Thank you very much to all concerned. I've never had more than 60
horses a season, so this achievement is that much more special. My best
I've trained are Tracey's Element who was owned by Paddy Hinton and Cherry
on the Top, for the late Mrs O. I've had lots of very good owners in the
past, most of them are gone now, but happy to share this with a longtime
loyal owner like Peter Dimakogiannis."
Ferraris has also gained a reputation as a trainer of trainers and included
among those he mentored is the eight-times South African champion trainer
and legend in his own right Mike de Kock, who has well and truly put South
Africa on the map with his overseas exploits; Michael Clements, who became
champion trainer of Zimbabwe and also a successful trainer in Singapore;
and also his own son David Ferraris, who became four-times South African
Champion trainer and has had tremendous success in Hong Kong.
Ormond was granted his trainer’s license at the age of 20 in 1952 after
completing his trainer’s apprenticeship under George Weale. A horse called
Shenandoah supplied him with his first winner in 1954.
He has always been known to have his horses superbly fit and has
consequently won the SA Oaks ten times and the SA Derby eight times.
One of his biggest career successes happened as recently as 2013 when he
guided the filly Cherry On The Top to the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara in
2013.
This filly was the first horse he had ever trained for the Oppenheimer
family. When the famous yellow and black colours crossed the line first in
the Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks, thus completing the Triple Tiara, it provided a
tremendous thrill for the now late “Queen Mum of South African racing”,
Bridget Oppenheimer, who was on course to accept the prize.
Ferraris had actually officially retired in the mid 1990s, handing over the
reins to his son David. However, he was unable to stay away from the game
he loved and was soon training under his own name again. Ormond’s biggest
owner at the time of the hand over to his son was Paddy Hinton. David then
landed the country’s biggest race, the Durban July, for Hinton with Super
Quality in 1997. David also won the July the following year with Classic
Flag.
Ormond has won a lot of the country’s biggest races and would almost
certainly have the July on his CV too if it was not for the cruel luck
suffered by Distinctly in 1974. An objection on behalf of Distinctly was
upheld, but unfortunately another horse on the other side of the track, the
Oppenhimer-owned Principal Boy, had finished a whisker in front of
Distinctly so had to be awarded the race with Ferraris’ horse second.
Ferraris’ 2500 winners have been achieved at close to 40 per season, a
remarkable feat considering he has never had a string of more than 60.
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