Things looking up as racing aficionados return

If we need a barometer to measure the state of South African racing, the De Kock family does the job.

- Mike Moon

News of Mathew de Kock returning to his homeland to establish a powerhouse mega-stable with his legendary father, Mike, is a clear sign a once-sinking industry has righted itself and is set fair for the future.

When young Mat – promising assistant to his dad at their Highveld base – upped sticks for Australia in 2020, it was widely reported he was doing so to establish a bridgehead for Mike to move Down Under.

The reason: local racing was in the toilet. In 2019, at the time of EFF-instigated strikes by grooms at Randjesfontein and Turffontein training centres and threats to the De Kock family and stable staff, Mike wrote on his website that his situation had become nigh untenable.