James says goodbye
VETERAN trainer James Goodman has decided to call it a day. He will be handing in his trainer’s licence after almost 43 years in the game. On 16 December, his horses and stable equipment will be sold lock, stock and barrel at his Summerveld stables.
Goodman was granted his licence on 1 January 1975 and started training at the Vaal with just six horses. In that same year he won the equivalent of the then Grade 1 Germiston November Handicap (Charity Mile) with Profumo, a “PE chuck-out” ridden by Robbie Hill.
He moved to Newmarket and later was one of the pioneering trainers at Randjesfontein, where the initial years were hard but where he enjoyed a high rate of success with runners like Duke Of Marmalade, All The Rage, Natural Force, Last Watch and Gold Tax. He trained over 40 Graded winners, including seven Grade 1s.
Seeking a more relaxed lifestyle, Goodman moved his operation to Durban in 2004 and decided on a “boutique yard” of 30 horses, which suited him very well and brought the peace of mind he desired, but the string dwindled down to between 15 and 20 in recent years.
Goodman said on Wednesday morning: “I can’t make a living anymore. Little stables can’t survive and I predict that more small trainers will give it up soon. You have to run a big stable these days to make a decent living. Costs are high and if you haven’t got a good horse or two in the stable it’s impossible to keep going.
“For the last two years I haven’t been able to find a single new owner for my yard. This year I bought five horses at a sale and tried to syndicate them, but couldn’t secure even one owner.”