Death of a legend

Legendary trainer Jean Heming has died in England

Heming won four South African National Champion Trainer titles and 12 consecutive Highveld provincial titles during the 1970s and 1980s. She was always a controversial figure, drawing accusations of doping along with high praise for her horsemanship and knack of producing winners.

Heming’s career was effectively ended when she was shot and wounded at her Vaal stables. Staff wages were in her possession at the time, but the money was not taken in the aftermath of the incident. The gunman was never identified or arrested and police lost the case files.

The gunshot wounds she sustained forced her into a wheelchair for much of the time and she stopped training. She and second husband Mike Heming emigrated to England in 1999.

Heming saddled a total of 1612 winners and her best horses included Mr Universe, Flight Path, Benny Bazooka, Main Man, Smackeroo, Rain Forest, Pedometer, Kwiktan and Roland’s Song. She rated the last-named – a filly who won two Summer Cups and three Champion Stakes – the best runner she ever handled.

She was born Diana Jean Stratton of farming stock in Malmesbury in the UK. Growing up with horses, she competed in point-to-point and show jumping.

She emigrated to South Africa in 1969 after marrying SA Air Force officer Phil Barnard and farmed for a while in the Villiers area, near the Transvaal-Free State border. Fulfilling a desire to train thoroughbreds, she acquired a five-year-old gelding called Lambeth Walk, who ran fourth in his first start and kickstarted a remarkable career.

Sports Club was her first winner in 1971.

Top jockeys who rode regularly for Heming included Freddie Macaskill, Gavin van Zyl, Bartie Leisher, Rooies Fourie, Patricio Sasso and Rhys van Wyk.

Leading owners included Ronnie Skjoldhammer, the Harmse brothers and Lolly and Costa Livanos.

Jockey Macaskill was quoted as saying: “Jean Heming was a consummate professional. The key to her success was the fitness of her horses. She trained them hard, English-style, and they kept rolling on the racetrack. Jean was one of the best trainers ever!”

Heming was charged three times for alleged use of banned drugs, was warned off twice, but was later cleared of all charges – once after going to the Supreme Court.

It was wrongly reported in 2006 that Heming had passed away at her home in Tetbury, England.

Earlier this week, Mike Heming posted on social media that Jean was facing her final furlong and called on old friends to pray for her. for his error, most likely in the form of a suspension.

A similar incident at Moonee Valley back in January 2002 resulted in a two-month ban for offending jockey Rhys McLeod. Mauritius Turf Club.

Rishworth will take office from next February after Benoît Halbwachs, who has served the Club for more than 40 years, of which almost 25 as General Manager. He will, however, be available to advise Rishworth and will remain on as secretary of the club on a part-time basis.

Rishworth said he had left the world of racing to follow a career in business about five years ago, he did not expect to be back so soon.

However, he thought he should at least consider the proposal, especially as he was a lover of the country he had come on honeymoon and which he had visited on many occasions.

Rishworth has had 20 years’ experience in the world of racing and during the time he not only managed Fairview and Arlington but also set up from scratch TV channel Tellytrack. -