Mrs Berenice Boell a legend.
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Mrs Berenice Boell a legend.
16 years 9 months ago
The Legend of Zimbabwe racing shares her story of 60 years in racing.
In the year 1947 I made my debut in the world of horse racing in Zimbabwe and now at the age of 89 may be the oldest member still trotting around the Turf Club. On a sunny Saturday afternoon I walked through the gates of Belvedere Race Course for the first time and as I wended my way to the Parade Ring, I passed a thatch-roofed pavilion where all the important people were seated. The ladies were dressed in pretty clothes with matching hats and gloves and the gentlemen were attired in smart suits!
To the sounds of romantic music belonging to that era, I reached the Parade Ring where I noticed a board on which was chalked up names of Jockeys, two of whom read “scratched”. In my ignorance I t thought they must be brothers! I have since learnt better! With beginner’s luck I went home a winner and became hooked!!
A few years later we moved to Kingsmead Road, Borrowdale, and once again, with luck on my side, the Borrowdale Turf Club opened. By then I had met a number of people in the racing world, some of whom have reached the ‘Halls of Fame’.
One such personality is John Smith who, like myself, was just an ordinary punter when I first met him. Then with the formation of the ‘Centaur’ Syndicate and their great horse, ‘The Toff’, John began to make his presence felt. Now with his wonder horse, the ‘Earl of Surrey’ in the loving care of Lisa Harris, the top Trainer in Zimbabwe, John has reached the ‘Halls of Fame’. A polio victim, he has risen nobly above his physical disability with laughter in his heart and a determination to succeed. John has been an inspiration to me for over thirty years and I am proud to say he is one of the dearest friends I have had the privilege of meeting on life’s highway.
Another colourful and well-known personality I have known for many years is Peter Lovemore, although my first meeting with him was not so friendly! One day after a race meeting, Peter was auctioning some horses in the Parade Ring and as people were bidding, I spotted a friend across the way. As I happily waved, he ‘knocked down’ a horse to me for $3 000. Peter was furious! Later I apologized and we became friends and I like to believe he is still my friend today!
There is a sequel to this story – some weeks later the same horse was parading in the ring before a race. Two ladies were standing next to me and one exclaimed “Doesn’t it look beautiful!” . On the other side of them I heard a man saying, “I wouldn’t back it if I were you. I’ve just sold it. It’s a load of rubbish!” Came the reply, “Well, we’ve just bought it!” Oops!!
I suppose life has its ‘Oops and Downs’ so while I’m in the ‘Laughter’ department, I would like to relate another amusing racing story. Through John Smith I became friendly with Reid and Sharon Paterson who trained ‘The Toff’. One afternoon she invited my son and myself to tea and to show us the horses at their stables. I had completely forgotten to tell my son that Reid was a Jockey. As we were walking round, my son turned to Reid and said, “You know Reid, Jockeys are the biggest crooks under the sun!”. Whether Reid nodded in approval or disapproval I’ll never know!
In ending my story “60 Years in the World of Horse Racing in Zimbabwe”, I would like to say it has given me confidence to mix with people from all walks of life and to the many wonderful friends who have showered me with love and caring, I owe a deep debt of gratitude. Some have passed away, and others have left for greener pastures. But for those who are still here I thank our Lord, for the gift of friendship and the great kindness to me and the warm hospitality extended to me at Borrowdale Park in my twilight years.
In closing my epistle, I feel I have to mention that I was married to my late husband John for sixty years before he passed away at the age of ninety-eight. He was very opposed to gambling and in retrospect, I think he must have been a saint to have put up with me for all those years!
Perhaps I’ll give up racing – till the next meeting!!
Berenice Boell
Aged 89
Resident of Nazareth House
God Bless you BB.
In the year 1947 I made my debut in the world of horse racing in Zimbabwe and now at the age of 89 may be the oldest member still trotting around the Turf Club. On a sunny Saturday afternoon I walked through the gates of Belvedere Race Course for the first time and as I wended my way to the Parade Ring, I passed a thatch-roofed pavilion where all the important people were seated. The ladies were dressed in pretty clothes with matching hats and gloves and the gentlemen were attired in smart suits!
To the sounds of romantic music belonging to that era, I reached the Parade Ring where I noticed a board on which was chalked up names of Jockeys, two of whom read “scratched”. In my ignorance I t thought they must be brothers! I have since learnt better! With beginner’s luck I went home a winner and became hooked!!
A few years later we moved to Kingsmead Road, Borrowdale, and once again, with luck on my side, the Borrowdale Turf Club opened. By then I had met a number of people in the racing world, some of whom have reached the ‘Halls of Fame’.
One such personality is John Smith who, like myself, was just an ordinary punter when I first met him. Then with the formation of the ‘Centaur’ Syndicate and their great horse, ‘The Toff’, John began to make his presence felt. Now with his wonder horse, the ‘Earl of Surrey’ in the loving care of Lisa Harris, the top Trainer in Zimbabwe, John has reached the ‘Halls of Fame’. A polio victim, he has risen nobly above his physical disability with laughter in his heart and a determination to succeed. John has been an inspiration to me for over thirty years and I am proud to say he is one of the dearest friends I have had the privilege of meeting on life’s highway.
Another colourful and well-known personality I have known for many years is Peter Lovemore, although my first meeting with him was not so friendly! One day after a race meeting, Peter was auctioning some horses in the Parade Ring and as people were bidding, I spotted a friend across the way. As I happily waved, he ‘knocked down’ a horse to me for $3 000. Peter was furious! Later I apologized and we became friends and I like to believe he is still my friend today!
There is a sequel to this story – some weeks later the same horse was parading in the ring before a race. Two ladies were standing next to me and one exclaimed “Doesn’t it look beautiful!” . On the other side of them I heard a man saying, “I wouldn’t back it if I were you. I’ve just sold it. It’s a load of rubbish!” Came the reply, “Well, we’ve just bought it!” Oops!!
I suppose life has its ‘Oops and Downs’ so while I’m in the ‘Laughter’ department, I would like to relate another amusing racing story. Through John Smith I became friendly with Reid and Sharon Paterson who trained ‘The Toff’. One afternoon she invited my son and myself to tea and to show us the horses at their stables. I had completely forgotten to tell my son that Reid was a Jockey. As we were walking round, my son turned to Reid and said, “You know Reid, Jockeys are the biggest crooks under the sun!”. Whether Reid nodded in approval or disapproval I’ll never know!
In ending my story “60 Years in the World of Horse Racing in Zimbabwe”, I would like to say it has given me confidence to mix with people from all walks of life and to the many wonderful friends who have showered me with love and caring, I owe a deep debt of gratitude. Some have passed away, and others have left for greener pastures. But for those who are still here I thank our Lord, for the gift of friendship and the great kindness to me and the warm hospitality extended to me at Borrowdale Park in my twilight years.
In closing my epistle, I feel I have to mention that I was married to my late husband John for sixty years before he passed away at the age of ninety-eight. He was very opposed to gambling and in retrospect, I think he must have been a saint to have put up with me for all those years!
Perhaps I’ll give up racing – till the next meeting!!
Berenice Boell
Aged 89
Resident of Nazareth House
God Bless you BB.
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Re: Re: Mrs Berenice Boell a legend.
16 years 9 months ago
Superb. Lovely story.
Thanks AP and BB.
If residence, Nazareth House, Tshwane, let me know.
Thanks AP and BB.
If residence, Nazareth House, Tshwane, let me know.
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- Dave Scott
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Re: Re: Mrs Berenice Boell a legend.
16 years 9 months ago
Magic stuff to take us into the weekend, hope you can link her via the site A.P. and if she can handle a day at the races? We will see what we can arrange.
Dave
Dave
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- Jamster
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Re: Re: Mrs Berenice Boell a legend.
16 years 9 months ago
Lovey Story AP - thank the Lady in question, and it would be nice if Mrs Berenice Boell would furnish with some more from time to time -
respectfully, Jim.
respectfully, Jim.
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- zoro
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Re: Re: Mrs Berenice Boell a legend.
16 years 9 months ago
Great story always nice to see how people got invoved in this game.
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