The thoroughbred horse breeding world
is one that is generally unknown to the
majority of the public, only appearing in
the general consciousness once every few
months on major racing spectacles such as
the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate Racing Festi-
val or Vodacom Durban July in South Africa,
or events such as the Kentucky Derby, Royal
Ascot or Melbourne Cup around the world.
It is, however, an industry that steadily ticks
on, far bigger than most would believe, and
contributing constantly to the lives of thou-
sands. What's more, as opposed to many
other industries which are funded by profits
and greed, the breeding industry is funded
largely and benevolently by love: love for
the beautiful animal that is the horse, and
the blessed feeling they give to all those in-
volved with them.
According to a census performed in 2011,
the South African racing and breeding in-
dustries directly employ approximate-
ly 6,000 people, working on various stud
farms and in trainer's racing yards around
the country. However, this number ignores
all those others working with the horses:
By JAMES TROTTER
