Ali Jumps Ship

Alistair Cohen, South Africa’s world-class race caller, has been appointed Senior Manager, Broadcasting and Commentating, for Cape Racing effective November 1st, incidentally his 33rd birthday.

The appointment follows Cohen’s periodic guest calling of Cape races over the last few months and recent negotiations with Cape Racing’s senior management. Justin Vermaak, Racing & Bloodstock Executive, said: “We are delighted to have secured Alistair’s services on a permanent basis. He is very talented, both as a commentator and a presenter, popular with racing fans and within the racing community. He fits perfectly with our long-term plan to make racing in the Western Cape a truly world-class experience.”

Cohen’s duties will be going beyond race calling and will extend to the coordination of Cape Racing’s broadcasting products, including pre-race interviews and race day presentation.

He commented: “My brief is to direct and shape Cape Racing’s overall broadcasting content and product into world-class quality. I am excited to be working closely with Justin and team, all people who are driven, committed and hold themselves to the highest standards. Hollywoodbets and Greg’s vision surpasses anything done before in South African racing. They have skipped a millennium to the year 3000! I cannot not get over the development taking place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth – this racecourse will shortly be in the top 5 courses in the world, in my opinion. I cannot wait to start!”



Cohen’s career followed a swift upward trajectory after he joined Phumelela as a trainee race caller in 2010. He progressed to senior commentator and developed a dedicated following. In 2021, he landed himself the sought-after position of senior caller in Dubai, where he spent just short of two seasons calling the 2021 Dubai World Cup and the other high-profile Dubai Carnival features before returning to South Africa as a freelancer.

Calling the Cape’s flagship races was a significant factor in his considering his professional move. “I have called the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas and the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, but so far not the L’Ormarins Kings Plate, the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, or the SplashOut Cape Derby. I can’t wait!” he enthused.

As a youngster, Cohen was drawn to race calling by David Raphael’s riveting delivery in the QEII Cup in 1997. He regards the Australian, Matt Hill, as the highest standard for callers today and has taken guidance from the UK’s leaders Simon Holt, Mike Cattermole, and the mellifluous Richard Hoiles, whom he regards as “a sounding board.”

Cohen said that he owed a debt of gratitude to Mary Slack for supporting his career. “If it weren’t for Mary who stepped in to give our racing industry a lifeline, Hollywoodbets and Greg wouldn’t have been in a position to rescue Cape Racing, and the landscape would have been different.”

Cohen will be commuting between Johannesburg and Cape Town for a few weeks and said: “I enjoyed living in Gauteng and forged some good friendships. I look forward to seeing my 4Racing colleagues in the Cape, especially for the festival meetings at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.”

caperacing.co.za/alistair-cohen-joins-cape-racing/

Hearing Brandon could/is joining him

Bob Brogan wrote:

Hearing Brandon could/is joining him

Bob,

That is a rumour or wild speculation.

Brandon, in my opinion, is at least 5-10 years away from being polished sufficiently to be "head hunted".

Alistair has improved over the past 10 years to a point that many would not hesitate to regard him as world class, including myself. 10 Years ago, i did not regard Alistair as world class but today, he is the close to the benchmark, if not the benchmark.

The Brandon fans can come through strongly, my view remain.

PS. Alistair improved by focussing on what he does and not on paying lip service to every patron after every race....."I know X&Y[the owners] are tuned in watching ch240" WTF, How does Brandon kn ow this....Is he psychic? If so, he should rather focus on tipping the winners......just saying

And mrs cohen??

Nice one Ali 👍

Proud of you 👏

In the days of yore commentators were not paid, perhaps something token.


Sent from my Ferrari using Tapatalk

Well done Alistair!

.....a good commentator with brains will always get to the top.....

He is a huge loss to 4 Racing, must have got a much better offer otherwise he wouldn't go. His wife trains here. In any business you do your best to keep your diamonds. I am terribly disappointed

the good wrote:

He is a huge loss to 4 Racing, must have got a much better offer otherwise he wouldn't go. His wife trains here. In any business you do your best to keep your diamonds. I am terribly disappointed

Congratulations to Alistair and to Cape Racing for recognising, acknowledging and creating opportunities for this talented individual.

@good,

I don't share your sentiment that this is a huge loss to 4 Racing given that on some days 4Q has more commentators and presenters on course than the number of runners that go under starters orders in a race. 4Q is not a business by any measure or metric and should not be compared to "in any business".

Any employee of 4Q that remains committed to the lack of vision and achievements of Fundi Sithebe, Colin Gordan and Charles Savage for the past 3 years is going to be a casualty in the not too distant future.

Well done Ali - onwards and upwards.

Saint T wrote:

Bob Brogan wrote:

Hearing Brandon could/is joining him

Bob,

That is a rumour or wild speculation.

Brandon, in my opinion, is at least 5-10 years away from being polished sufficiently to be "head hunted".

Alistair has improved over the past 10 years to a point that many would not hesitate to regard him as world class, including myself. 10 Years ago, i did not regard Alistair as world class but today, he is the close to the benchmark, if not the benchmark.

The Brandon fans can come through strongly, my view remain.

PS. Alistair improved by focussing on what he does and not on paying lip service to every patron after every race....."I know X&Y[the owners] are tuned in watching ch240" WTF, How does Brandon kn ow this....Is he psychic? If so, he should rather focus on tipping the winners......just saying

From the Sporting Post


Cape Racing has announced via a media release published on Tuesday 7 November that Brandon Bailey will join its Broadcast and Commentating team commencing 1 December 2023.
Justin Vermaak, Cape Racing’s Racing & Bloodstock Executive, said: “We are extremely excited to have Brandon join our team. The execution of our vision at Cape Racing requires large quantities of energy and passion. Brandon possesses both in abundance. Brandon is a valuable and welcome addition to our already well-established team. “

Added Brandon, “I am so grateful for this opportunity of a lifetime. I could not believe my eyes when I recently toured Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. What is taking place at this property is nothing short of mind-blowing. When all is said and done, this racecourse will be one of the top racecourses in the world, and I need to pinch myself that I am now part of this journey.”

Ed – Thirty year old Brandon and his long-time girlfriend Katelyn Whittington are expecting a baby – we wish them well and bid them a hearty welcome to Cape Town!

Well done Brandon and all the best 👍