We are open for business in KwaZulu-Natal!

Multiple Group winning trainer Dean Kannemeyer has launched a permanent satellite yard of twenty boxes in KwaZulu-Natal. The Western Cape trainer who operates from his home base of Milnerton in the Western Cape has a proud and unparalleled record of winning the Classics and sees the move to the Clairwood Racecourse stabling complex as a ‘logical strategic step’ to diversify his customer service options and to grow his business in a testing economic climate. Dean’s Dad Peter, affectionately known as Peekay, hung up his riding boots in the late sixties and started a family training operation from the very same barn from which Dean still operates today. As an eleven year old Dean rode work with leading lights of the ilk of Garth Puller and Paddy Mcgivern . The young Kannemeyer rode his first Cape Hunt amateur race winner at the age of sixteen, wearing a pair of boots borrowed from Puller. The father and son have trained the winner of every big race in South Africa in over four decades.

At the turn of the century Peekay, who celebrated his 78th birthday two weeks ago, handed over the reins to Dean and the first decade of the new millennium has seen him remarkably win two Vodacom Durban Julys and a total of seven Guineas, amongst a host of other feature races. Dean said that he was excited about the opening of his Clairwood satellite yard: “We have been raiding and supporting Natal racing since 1973 and have had much success and enjoyment up here. The horses thrive in the climate and the summer rainfall and off-season racing gives us an opportunity to play to our strengths across our string as it provides us with more options when the going is on top during the Cape’s Sizzling Summer Season.”

The Kannemeyer move will add flavour and interest to the KZN off-season and bolster the competitiveness of the racing. Dean closed by saying that he had limited boxes available in both Cape Town and Durban and invited interested parties to contact him at 021 552 4505 or email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ROYAL CHALLENGE FOR MEDALLION

Cape Royal is one of 16 runners likely to face the starter in next weekend’s G1 Tsogo Sun Medallion, a 1200m race at Scottsville, worth R500,000 in prize money.

The son of Royal Academy will be partnered by top Cape jockey, Karl Neisius, who partnered the colt to a stunning debut win.
Cape Royal does face a stiff task coming into a G1 race off a single run, but he looks top-class. His opposition includes Nursery runner up Ziparana, the promising Reign as Kings and G2 winner Ottimo.



Dean also has two runners in the day’s principal feature, the R600,000 G1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint. He will saddle the smart 3yo Depardieu, who drops back to the 1200 metre trip, after contesting two 1400m features, and the good older performer, The Shark.

Depardieu gets the services of Robbie Fradd, while his stablemate will be ridden by MJ Byleveld.

Scottsville’s day of speed next weekend should not be missed by any racing enthusiast who enjoys quality, speedy horses in action.

DIVINE JET INJURED; WILL MISS KZN

DK Racing suffered a major blow when top colt, Divine Jet, was injured in training. The brilliant colt chipped a knee, and will miss the rest of Natal Winter Season.

Divine Jet had surgery on Monday and Dean is pleased to report that the operation went well, and that the star colt is doing fine.
Owner, Lady Christine Laidlaw, has been most understanding during this testing time, and Dean is looking forward to bringing Divine Jet for a crack at some of the bigger races in the Cape Summer Season at the end of the year.



Divine Jet’s set back was a bitter blow for Dean, who had to scratch the son of Jet Master from Saturday’s G2 KRA Guineas. Dean felt that the Guineas would have settled the question  once and for all, about Divine Jet’s stamina.

Divine Jet (Jet Master – Divine Nymph) had won four of his five starts, prior to this setback, with his sole unplaced effort coming in the G1 Cape Premier Yearling Sales Guineas.

PERFECT SCRIPT FOR IN WRITING

DK Racing have been churning out the winners lately, and the veteran In Writing gave the yard yet another impressive winner when he scored an impressive win at Clairwood on Sunday.

Now a 6yo, the evergreen In Writing was making his seasonal Durban debut on Sunday. A horse who has done well in Durban in previous years, In Writing’s win stamped him as a horse to follow in feature races during the Winter season.

Competing in a pinnacle plate over 2500 metres, In Writing was sent out a warm favourite to defeat a smart field of horses which included former Summer Cup/Gold winner Aslan, promising stayer Orchard House, as well as hard knockers Predestination, Satin Silver and Vengence.

The gelding was given a great ride by Karl Neisius, and the pair ran out comfortable

winners, finishing three parts of a length clear of Aslan, with Predestination back in third.

Well done to winning owners, Fieldspring Racing, who have been such loyal supporters of the yard. In Writing is a very classy sort, who seems to be in the form of his life, having won the G3 Chairman’s Cup at his last outing.

Now a five time winner, In Writing was bred by Abolengo in Argentina. He is by Editor’s Note out of the Candy Stripes mare, Inalay.

PARAMOUNT LORDLY IN VICTORY

Dean Kannemeyer Racing has been in unstoppable form this season. To date, Dean has saddled the winners of 65 races, and this tally continues to grow at a rate of knots.

He added to this tally when Lord Paramount (Miesque’s Approval – Lady Caroloty ) won a good race at Kenilworth on Wednesday. This 3yo has been a real money spinner for owners, Fieldspring Racing. The gelding landed a merit rated handicap at Kenilworth, defeating some smart, older campaigners. He has really come into his own, and should enjoy a profitable winter season.

Lord Paramount has now won four of his last six outings and shows no signs of stopping here.

He really loves 1400 metres, and has scored four of his five career starts to date.

Dean is currently in Jo’burg, where is attending the 2012 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale. He has seen some cracking yearlings, with tremendous pedigrees, and all patrons wishing for more info regarding the sale, are asked to please phone him on his mobile.

DK RACING CLUB

I was also fortunate to purchase  two lovely colts by sons of Royal Academy that I trained in years gone by with great success, at the Cape Premier Sale Book 2. Eyeofthetiger and Express Way won the Vodacom Durban July and Guineas and were both brilliant racehorses and Group 1 winners of the highest class.  These two lovely youngsters will form the backbone of our exciting new syndicate, the DKR Club.

As a means of enhancing the fun and social aspect of racehorse ownership , we have established the Dean Kannemeyer Racing Club. The syndicate will be launched at a social function on a date to be advised and I am looking forward to involving a happy mix of new and existing patrons. The initial interest has been fantastic and I expect the minimum ten percent shares at under R35 000 each to be subscribed very soon.

The attractive aspect of this affordable package is that there are no accounts or hidden costs for the two colts for twelve months and the initial outlay includes basic keep and vet costs, shoes and mortality insurance. Full details available under a separate email or visit our website.  Please feel free to give me a call or email us if any further information is required.

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