Picture: Mike and Matthew de Kock have their first runner as an official partnership on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on Friday night. (Photo Supplied).
www.mikedekockracing.com
Today, 30 January 2025, Mike de Kock sent out the last runner in his name – Kadizora in Race 5 at the Vaal Classic track and there were no last race fireworks, which would have been a fitting tribute to the legend, as she ran unplaced.
He has appeared in the race card as ‘MF de Kock’ for 35 years, but now begins a partnership with his son Matthew and they will appear in the racecard as ‘M/M de Kock’.
In reference to an official statistical era, it’s the end of a great one – Mike’s ends with an estimated 3803 career winners, including 141 Grade 1’s, 158 Grade 2s and 102 Grade 3 wins – unequalled in SA racing history and set to be the gold standard for many years to come.
But it really is “business as usual” for Mike, whose official partnership with Mathew de Kock starts with two runners at HWB Greyville on Friday evening.
Officer in Command, the first Mike/Mathew partnership runner on Friday.
Mike said: “This is a change in name only, but absolutely nothing else changes. It’s quite odd, because in most other jurisdictions around the world a new partnership does not require a change of entity and a new set of statistics like it does here. It’s not about stats, however. We have goals to achieve, for ourselves and our patrons, and not a single thing changes in the stable.”
Mathew is presently back in Australia, wrapping up his affairs and packing for his return. He said: “I am very proud of having our first runners in South Africa in my name on Friday night, also at the big weekend meeting at Turffontein. I cut my teeth in SA as an assistant to my dad. It’s a big moment for me having my name next to his name in the race guides. He’s a legend in his own right.
“Nothing is going to change, we’ve always worked together even though my name hasn’t been there. It’s all paperwork really. I am excited for what the future holds. In a weird way, I am in Australia this time and Dad’s at home while we’re having runners together. It used to be the other way round, when I was holding the fort for the big meetings and he was travelling.
“I wish everyone well for the weekend. We have some nice runners and I hope we can get the official partnership off to a good start!”
