South Africa’s brand new father-and-son training partnership of Corne and Xander Spies is set to send out their first runners at Turffontein on Saturday as a new chapter begins in a story that commenced over a half century ago, and encompasses three generations.
The brand Spies has in fact been around horses and SA racing since the 1940’s.
Grandfather Tobie, a revered trainer who is still at the yard every day, laid the foundation, while his son, the 56 year old Corné, a man who mastered the art of travelling horses, is now partnered by his own son – or Tobie’s grandson if you prefer – Xander, a Lawyer, who graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at North-West University in Potchefstroom in 2019.
The 29 year old Xander is currently serving as the youngest ever Chairman of the Racehorse Owners Association, a representative body for owners, with strong representation in the Highveld and Eastern Cape.
The generational confluence of the Spies trio makes for a rare skill set – Tobie’s old-school horsemanship, Corne’s decades of practical training experience, and Xander’s 21st century experience across training, ownership, racing administration, law, and the commercial side of the sport.
An eloquent young professional, Xander told the Sporting Post that his grandfather was a successful trainer in his own right and remains an invaluable source of old-school horsemanship, knowledge and experience.
“My dad took over the stable from my grandfather in 2000. Our new partnership therefore comes 26 years after he assumed responsibility for the operation and is a natural progression, rather than a sudden change. The possibility of entering into a training partnership has actually been discussed for quite some time. We both felt that the beginning of the new racing season represented the right moment to formalise it,” Xander told the Sporting Post on Monday.
A multiple Grade 1-winning conditioner, Corne took over from Tobie in 2000. He won the Northern Cape award for Champion Racehorse Owner in the 2009/2010 racing season and during the 2014 and 2015 racing seasons, he raced a string in Zimbabwe and won that country’s Trainers’ Title for the 2014/2015 racing season.
During his career, Corne has saddled more than 10 000 runners and trained winners at every licensed racecourse in Africa, south of the equator!
Corne and Xander Spies – A new era for Spies Racing
“I have been involved with the stable from a young age and began working more formally within the operation when I was 16. I have spent close to six years working as my dad’s assistant trainer, gaining practical experience in the daily training and management of the horses, staff management, owners, sales, race planning and the broader administration of the stable,” adds Xander.
The Spies stable has built a reputation for finding value at yearling sales and producing top-performing horses, without always relying on the most expensive purchases.
The Hollywoodbets-sponsored Spies Racing has traditionally been associated with precocious young horses and speed, although the stable has also enjoyed success across a wide variety of distances, including major staying races.
Some of the horses closely associated with the stable’s modern history include the likes of Rock Opera, War Horse, Van Halen, Singforafa, William Robertson, Supreme Quest, Elegantrix and Hazy Dazy.
Xander says that he has been ‘very fortunate’. “As an owner, I have also been associated with four Grade 1 victories, which has deepened my appreciation for the standards and execution required to compete at the highest level. My heart and soul is in this great game. Nothing beats horses and people. And that’s simply what it is all about,” says Xander.
While handing over the reins from one generation to the next happens often, father-and-son training partnerships in South Africa are not commonplace, but have proven successful as demonstrated by Milnerton-based duo Piet and Elbert Steyn, while Mike and Mat de Kock are at Randjesfontein and Summerveld.
In the past we had Gavin and Gareth van Zyl, while the Brett and James Crawford partnership was dissolved when Brett moved to continue his career in Hong Kong. Mike and Adam Azzie went on their own after Adam decided to move his family to KZN.
Xander concluded by telling the Sporting Post that he would remain in his role as ROA Chairman, while joining Corne to chart a course for the exciting challenges that lie ahead for Spies Racing.
“From my perspective, it is a privilege to continue something that my grandfather started and that my dad has developed for more than 25 years. The intention is to preserve the identity, values and hands-on approach of Spies Racing while continuing to modernise the operation, attract new owners and build for the future. We believe our respective strengths complement one another well. The partnership provides continuity for our current owners and horses while giving the stable a clear long-term succession plan.”
He adds that above everything, the family are passionate about the horses, grateful for the support of their owners and excited to begin the new season together.
As Japanese writer Ryunosuke Satoro said: “Individually we are one drop, but together we are an ocean.”