The Sporting Post published an article on Xander Spies, following the stable's resounding victories on Champions Day, 2026, republished here, with permission:

A third-generation member of the renowned Spies Racing family, 29 year old Xander Spies enjoyed a pinnacle day in his and his famous family’s racing life at Turffontein last Saturday when Trent Mayhew guided Hazy Dazy to a sensational victory in the second leg of the SA Triple Tiara.

The name Spies has been around SA racing for over a half century. Xander’s grandfather Tobie, a revered trainer who is still at the yard every day, laid the foundation, while his father, Corné Spies, continues as a celebrated trainer and a man who mastered the art of travelling horses.

Corne Spies also 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.

This season has already delivered 5 stakes victories for the Hollywood bets-sponsored yard, and an even more remarkable statistic is that all five have come from their crop of 3-year-olds and older -of which they only have 14 older horses in training!

Chatting to the Sporting Post after flying into Cape Town with his Dad on Tuesday morning for the Race Coast Sales Premier Yearling Sale on Friday and Saturday, the personable Xander was still smiling after a memorable Saturday where the team’s R37 500 purchase Hazy Dazy booked her bid for SA Triple Tiara glory on 4 April when she cruised home to win the R1 250 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic.

A Legal Eagle – he qualified with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at North-West University in Potchefstroom back in 2019 – Xander admits that his heart was somewhere between his throat and his impeccably shiny shoes at the 300m, when Hazy Dazy appeared to be swallowed up by faster-finishers, after leading the stampede.

“Wasn’t that just amazing. She looked dead and buried. Trent (Mayhew) played it down afterwards, suggesting she was simply gathering her stride and having a breather. It all looks so beautifully scripted afterwards. Full marks to the filly and to young Trent. It took nerves of steel and confidence in his mount to take up the pace cudgel early, especially with so many enthusiastic and expectant owners breathing down his neck and waiting for him at the number 1 box!” laughs Xander, who adds ‘no pressure!’

It was a beautiful case of loyalty rewarded as Corne Spies and his owners’ decision to stay staunch in the Gr1 race to apprentice Trent Mayhew, who has admittedly done nothing wrong on their star filly to date, paid handsome dividends.

Mayhew, who courageously returned to the saddle last year after an injury, has only ridden just over 54 career winners at a win strike-rate of 6%, but did everything right in the big-race pressure cooker on Saturday.

Randjesfontein-resident Hazy Dazy now bids for her place in history as our sixth SA Triple Tiara winner, and her sire Act Of War’s second, after the Waterman-Wentzel’s War Of Athena in 2021.

Owners Mr & Mrs D Dasrath, Rob Macnab, Steve Poriazis, Vikash Sobaren, D Vayapuri, and the irrepressible Xander Spies, have doubtless already booked their table for the early April afternoon!

The day didn’t end for the Spies team with Hazy Dazy’s strike, and a few hours later it was their Ridgemont-bred Rafeef soldier William Robertson, who races in the same silks, who beat top-class opponents – and the doubters – with a massive effort from an insider draw under top weight to register an extraordinary 17th career victory, digging deep late to record his second win in the R300 000 TAB Gr2 JJ The Jet Plane Stakes.

The Spies team has followed the same trajectory as their 2025 programme with William Robertson, who now looks very ready to defend his Gr1 Computaform Sprint crown on 4 April.

Raced in a partnership by Rob Macnab (who celebrated his first Turffontein double in a lifetime of racing), Keegan Govender, Xander Spies, Corne Spies Racing (Pty) Ltd & Jannie de Lange’s Waste Glass Recovery (Pty) Ltd, William Robertson is by a former Computaform Sprint winner in the fabulous Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice), out of the thrice-winning Trippi mare, Massachusetts.

William Robertson was born at Ridgemont in the beautiful Robertson Valley and was seemingly named after Dr William Robertson, the Scottish minister after whom the delightful town, established in 1852, is named.

Xander Spies is a young man of unquestionable talents and he has rolled his sleeves up, 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.

He also serves on the NHRA Rules Committee as the owner representative.

These roles have required judgment, diplomacy, credibility, and the ability to engage constructively on matters affecting owners, governance, integrity, and the long-term sustainability of the sport. His input often means fresh perspectives and the introduction of innovative strategies aimed at rejuvenating the sport for future generations.

An important factor, is that he adds plenty of value in his current office roles as his foundational experience was grounded in the operational side of racing.

While he always had his sights set on a legal qualification, Xander was involved with Spies Racing since the age of sixteen and over time has taken on substantial responsibility for ownership acquisition, owner engagement, and the broader commercial positioning of the stable.

“I have 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,” he adds.

“My heart and soul is in this great game. I have dreams and ambitions to get more involved. Nothing beats horses and people. And that’s simply what it is all about.