Mauritian-based Denis Le Breton has invested with purpose in the South African racing industry, following more than four decades as a leading owner on the island. Denis (pronounced ‘Deni’) will be starting the 2025/6 season with 46 horses in the care of Milnerton trainer Des McLachlan. Having already had 20 winners, they are hoping for their best season since the partnership was launched 18 months ago.
Denis bought 15 young horses at various sales this year to prop up the stable’s stock of fresh new runners. A number of his three-year-olds will turn four and are expected to be competitive, including Jet A One, It Is My Time and Money Extractor, and the older stalwarts include Tothemoonandback, Devil A Saint and Diamond Rock.
Their highest hopes next season lie with Master Of My Fate gelding Jet Force, who has won two of three starts, has much to come and, at a rating of MR83, is ahead of the handicapper.
Denis, who is permitted to spend up to 180 days a year in South Africa, said he flies in from Mauritius once a month, and tries to plan his visits to coincide with runners at Kenilworth.
Denis enjoyed 365 winners as an owner in his home base, but has never managed a big-race winner. He said: “I was holidaying in France when jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe and I had a chat one day. He suggested I open a stable in Cape Town and that got my interest going. I won many races at home, but I never had good luck with top horses. Every piece of ‘gold’ I imported from South Africa turned to ‘bronze’, and some were very expensive.”
Denis and Bernard Fayd’Herbe. It starts with good friendship. (Facebook).
While graded winners will be nice bonuses along the way. Denis says he has always been in racing for pleasure and not for trophies or accolades. “I prefer racing alone to racing with partners. One can get involved with people who complain too much and don’t understand the game. I don’t gamble. All I want to do is watch them run, as much as I can, lead in as many winners as I can, and enjoy days out racing with good friends.”
Denis picked the experienced Des McLachlan as his trainer and said: “Des knows what he is doing, he is a very hard worker and I trust his judgement when it comes to selecting horses. We have a good thing going.”
Fayd’Herbe, who is presently booked off on medical advice and spending some time with his family in Madagascar, has also been of great help. “Bernard knows the industry inside out, and his advice and assistance have been valuable to me. He is a good friend who has ridden many winners for me too.”
Denis is the founder and chairman of DLB Construction, one of the biggest family-owned businesses in Mauritius. He employs more than 1000 workers and told, “I started off as a youngster working on a sugar mill, but after a while I said to myself, ‘there must be better ways of earning a living’, and I ventured out on my own. I am very proud of what we’ve built. I started without being gifted a single Rupee, and our business has come a long way.”
South African racing can only benefit from the support of people like Denis Le Breton, and we hope to see his blue and grey silks feature with regular success in the forthcoming season.
