The enthuastic young team from 3A Racing visited last Sunday.  Looked at stallions, toured the farm and visited the Al Maktoum School of Excellence.

We were delighted to welcome and host the Gambling Board - represented by the Chairperson and Deputy Chairpersons, Ms Ngubane and Mrs Mfusi who were joined by Prof Konyn; Mrs Shabalala; Mr Dlamini; Mr Nzimakwe; Ms Baloyi; Mr Bestel.
Accompanying them were Robert Mauvis; Neil Butcher; Michel Nairac; Patrick Locker; Sipho Gama; Graeme Hawkins; David Furness; Pinky Ndlela and Moses Tembe of Gold Circle.
Also present were Graham Bailey and Charles Grey of the South African Jockey Academy

Mike and Marty Meredith visited us this February to see their horses.  With them were friends, Gilly and Johnny Gordon from the UK.

Robert and Julie Cambray joined us for a leg of their South African tour from the UK.  Friends of our client, Rose Leheup, they were treated to the Summerhill hospitality.

Judging for the National Yearling Sales prior to selecting yearlings for the sale on 26-28 April, 2013.
Judging took place in B Block at Summerhill where 45 yearlings were presented and shown.

We had a lovely luncheon at the School of Excellence, entertaining guests from overseas.  Dave Fishback, an Equine vet practicing in the USA, visited with Helen, a South African girl now working with him in Kentucky.  Also joining us was Mike Owens from the UK.  Mike breeds and races Greyhounds, and has been a frequent visitor to Hartford for over 10years now; he visited with a friend, Steve.

The Grooms Co-Op has been established, with financial government backing, for the education and empowerment of members within the Thoroughbred Industry.  Leading this programme throughout the country is Adriaan Todd, with assistance from Lynton Ryan.

Jackie Solomon flew in with friend, Colin Wille, to visit her mares and foals at Summerhill. 

Friends of our UK clients, Andy and Bre Fairfield, stayed over at Hartford.  Dave Aldrich and Shirley Haycroft were here for Shirley's birthday, and they popped in to see the Fairfield's mare, LITE A FIRE (seen here heavily In Foal to BRAVE TIN SOLDIER).
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIRLEY!

Peter Gibson of Racing SA visited with interested parties from Hong Kong.  They visited Summerhill as part of their tour of the stud farms in the country.

We were delighted to entertain to lunch, King Letsie of Lesotho, who was here to see his horses; and Yusuke Tsukahara of Shadai and Northern Farms in Japan, here to see ADMIRE MAIN and to join us on the panel of the Ready To Run gallops.  We were also lucky to share in the company of Paul Lafferty and Phil Georgio - also visiting for the Ready To Run gallops.

Summerhill hosted our first Open Day to the general public on Saturday 29th September 2012.  Avid horse lovers, who share our passion, were treated to guided tours of the Foaling and Stallion Barns, Foal nursery and paddocks. On hand to talk them through the experience were Tarryn Liebenberg(Pre-Training manager), Annet Becker(Broodmare & Foal manager), Ilze Schmidt(Yearling manager), and Leigh Wilson, our photographer.   A trip through the farm ended at the Al Maktoum School of Management Excellence, where Heather Morkel, Headmistress and senior lecturer, was available to answer questions regarding the syllabus and education opportunities so unique to this particular school.

Walter and Claire joined us to lunch and a tour of Summerhill with some Polo  visitors of theirs from Argentina and Uruguay.

Cader Mallam-Hassam, Summerhill client from Mauritius, visited us to see his new foal, MAGIC AMEE by A P ARROW out of FLYING MAGIC.

A sudden snowfall on Tuesday evening, 7th August, prevented the Summerhill team from attending the Equus Awards in Johannesburg.  Our 8th consecutive Champion Breeders title.  The farm was a picture.

New Sponsors at our favourite Race meeting.  The theme was Race Like A Rock Star .... There was a Brass Rock Band to entertain the crowds of approximately 11,000 people at Greyville. 

It’s arguable South Africa has not seen the likes of it before, and here we speak of the lectures, the facilty, the food, the whole package, as well as the inspiration we all walked away with. At the end of the day, while it makes riveting listening for those of us who’ve been around a while, it was something else for our nine young students, who had obviously never seen or heard anything of this calibre before.  Visit the School website for more information

 

Another wonderful day has come and gone.  We have recorded the day with pictures for your interest.

Mick and Cheryl Goss and the Summerhill team hosted our clients on Saturday, 7th July, to the running of the Vodacom Durban July.  Summerhill bred, SMANJESMANJE (Kahal x In Style) came in second in the main race.  The weather was kind until mid afternoon when the wind picked up; although nothing affected the merriment in Suite 2J.

The 2012 intake of the Al Maktoum School of Excellence were photographed on a field trip to the Vodacom Durban July gallops held at Greyville.

A wonderful Sunday at Summerhill in June.  A tour, movie and stories of the stud - ending in lunch at the beautiful School of Excellence.

The Al Maktoum School of Management Excellence heralds its new intake for 2012.  This years intake includes students from all around the country, and includes staff from Wilgebosdrif; Drakenstein; WC Breeders Club; Mike de Kock and Summerhill Stud.

Rose visited Summerhill in April to see her mares Discover Diamonds and Star Role and their followers.

Michelle Tedder has worked at Summerhill for 9 years in the Insurance division of Goss & Co and has left us to  work with her husband in Estcourt at his veterinary practice.  We will sincerely miss her and wish her well.

Long overdue visit from Steve Sturlese and his team

The Judge joins us for lunch on the Summerhill Office verhandah

Our valued client, Norman Yeats, visited Summerhill in February to see his mare, Shirley Singer, and progeny.

We had visitors from Mauritius join us for lunch at Summerhill, and a preview of the Ready To Run entries.

We were delighted to entertain Robert and Robyn Muir at the stud last week.  The Muir's are the owners of RAVISHING, and on this visit were able to see their 2011 foals for the first time, along with some exceptional RAVISHING progeny.

Directly after the Cape Premier Sale we had Angus Gold visit us to view the Shadwell horses.  Joining him were our clients and neighbours, Nathalie and Xavier Bozo from Mooi River and France.

Brother Douglas Robertson, a Brother of Charity, lives on a mission outside Polokwane, Limpopo, caring for and teaching a number of high school students at Pax College. On the mission they also have a pre-primary and primary schools. They run a training facility in agriculture, and have some 27 horses which are used, among other things, for behaviour modification among the youth. Brother Douglas and 20 students joined us at Summerhill and spent time in the different divisions learning and experiencing the different aspects of Thoroughbred breeding.  It was a pleasure hosting these delightful, enthusiastic boys - we have included some pics of the tea party before they left for home.

Davy Chiu and a delegation of visitors from Hong Kong and Sinagpore joined us for a tour and lunch at Summerhill, today, Wednesday 9th November.  Accompanying them were Deez Dayanand and driver, Jeffrey.  We were also honored with a vist by Raymond Rogers and Sanette from Gold Circle, and our old friends and clients, Betty and John Crosier from Yorkshire.

Nic and Yolandi Evans visited us on Friday to see their new MULLINS BAY foal and then joined us to lunch.  Included in the lunch party was Markus Holmes, a long time client of Harthouse House, and his partner, and Catherine, Scott and Shane, from the Afresh Vention team.  The wind settled in time for us to enjoy our first lunch under the oak tree this season.

This week,  Summerhill Stud hosted a First Aid course.  Members of the Summerhill team, and students of the Al Makhtoum School of Excellence, were lectured and given practical instruction by Eugene Harvey of Nastech.  It was a 'hands on' learning experience, with a final test on the 2nd day.  
An enlightening experience for all participants.

We had a visit, over 3 days, from a group of girls from Beaulieu College in Gauteng.  These grade 10 to 12 Equine Science students were accompanied by Alison, vet turned lecturer, and spent the days gaining practical experience at Summerhill.

A time of excitement - the launch of the annual Summerhill brochure to staff on the farm. 

We had a lively big group of friends joining us for lunch on Monday.  Robert and Robin Muir arrived the previous week from Florida for a stay at Hartford and to see their horses.  Traveling with them were Cecil Baitz and his guest, Toni.  Visiting his new 2011 foal was Norman Yeats.  Old Summerhill stallion supporters Alistair Stubbs, a breeding legend, and Seymor Harley, of Stoneleigh Stud, also joined us.

The seven students were taken on a field trip to Mike de Kock's yard at Summerveld by Heather Morkel.  Their motivation was to gather an understanding of the practical aspect of training, working in the training yard, and track managment.

Visitors, guests and the Al Maktoum School of Management Excellence students joined the Summerhill Team for a wonderful day of racing last Sunday.  Heavy rains the week before had caused racing to be postponed on Saturday ......... but Sunday turned into a beautiful sunny day and we were delighted to host everyone at our box.

The theme of this years GOLD CUP was SUNRISE/SUNSET.  
As viewed before the first race from the Summerhill suite at Greyville.

This Friday His Majesty King Letsie of Lesotho, Bruce le Roux and Peter and Val Fenix, visited us to see the newest stallions resident at Summerhill for the 2011 season.  We were delighted to have Beryl and Owen Leibrandt join us for lunch.  Owen had partnered in, and raced some great horses, including SMART MONEY, DELTA FORM and later, IMBONGI who was bred at Summerhill and completed his racing career in Dubai.

35 School Chaplins from Independent High Schools of South Africa visited Summerhill on Friday, 22nd July.  As part of their annual outing to places of educational interest, and led by the Michaelhouse Chaplin, Alan Smedley, they did a tour of the Al Maktoum School of Management Excellence, ending at the Summerhill stud office for coffee and shortbread.

An extravaganza of a day ..... hundreds of guests, great horses and good wine

Members of the Team Valor team visited Summerhill from the USA.  Their visit to South Africa included time at the game reserve, the Vodacom Durban July and the Investec Summerhill Stallion Day.

Davy Chiu - DTI representative from Hong Kong travelled to South Africa with a tour group including some Hong Kong Jockey Club representatives and other folk involved in the Racing industry.

Joining us were Lord and Lady Kensington with a friend from India.  Also visiting were the Afresh Vention team

A momentous day as 1st and 2nd home in the main race were from the Summerhill farm.

• 1st IGUGU – pinhooked in Australia as a yearling then raised and sold on the RTR sale
• 2nd PIERRE JOURDAN – he was born and raised at Summerhill, then sold on the RTR sale

Joining us for lunch under the old oak tree at the Stud office are Ricky and Brigetta Maingard, Rupert Plersch, Annet Becker and Mick Goss.