PROFILE JUSTIN SNAITH: A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Name, any nickname: Seamus Justin Snaith - Justice, thanks to an old friend Steven Jel.
Current position on National Trainers’ Log: Second with 137 winners and R15,976,900 in stakes.
Date, city of birth: 3 December in Cape Town.
Family: Wife is Lauren and daughter Emily is nine months old.
Tell us about your school days. I was an all-rounder but I must say I could run like my horses, so athletics and rugby were my games. I will never forget my dad (former champion trainer Chris) making me ride work through my matric exams because they were during the summer season in Cape Town and he needed a hand - so I rode work before every exam.
What attracted you to horseracing? Plain and simple, my love of horses.
Where are you based? Snaith Central is Cape Town but we are so involved with racing all around the country I feel at home in all the mayor centers.
When were you licensed? 2000.
How many career runners (including overseas)? I have no idea - that’s in the past and I only look forward.
Total winners? 2,345 in South Africa.
Tell us about your first runner. It was scratched as the vaccinations were not done.
First winner? Park Lane for Laurie and Jean Jaffee. She also gave me my first Group race win. When I look back that was probably my greatest highlight - and to win a Vodacom Durban July for the late Graham Beck (Dancer’s Daughte, who dead-heated with Pocket Power) in his latter days. My greatest moments have been winning the right race for the right people at the right time.
Best you’ve trained? Bernard Faydherbe - but not even South African horse whisperer Malan du Toit could get him tractable ... he is in desperate need of gelding and a tongue tie!
Who is the best currently in your stable? Cyprian Thulani, my head lad who travels with me and has worked with me since I started.
What was the greatest moment in your life? My daughter Emily May Snaith being born on 1 August - like every racing season.
What is the hardest thing you ever had to do? Sit in a National Horseracing Association (NHA) inquiry. You are all alone, surrounded by five people including lawyers, experts, stipendiary stewards and NHA employees all gunning for you and looking for the biggest penalty they can impose on you. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
Superstitions? I never cut any hair before a race because it didn’t worked for Sampson. I never walk through the winners’ box before a race unless I’m skipping on one leg - remember in cricket when teams are on 111 everyone stands on one leg? Exactly! Some people don’t like green in racing but the colour works for St John Gray and my dad.
What are your hobbies? Running and Polo.
What music do you like to listen to? Anything with a beat that makes me feel good.
Favourite food? Breakfast at the Oyster box.
Favourite night out? At the Grande in Cape Town.
Do you follow sport? Yes - Liverpool and the Stormers. My favourite players are Lionel Messi (soccer), Roger Federer (tennis), Le Clos (swimming) and Wayde Van Niekerk (a track and field sprinter).
Do you read? I enjoy author Dan Brown.
Do you watch TV? I watch anything about finding treasure.
Best movie you have seen? I enjoy anything with Keanu Reeves in but my best movie is the original Ben-Hur.
What car do you drive? An Audi S4 Avante.
Objectives for the next five/10 years? To encourage the younger generation to get involved in the sport of kings.