He continued, “I emigrated to the UK in 2020 once Covid-19 had basically wiped out Mango Airlines so had to have a good rethink and ended up training again. It’s an exciting adventure and the real hard work is done setting up and doing the trainers modules required over here, it’s quite intense. But we are going now and should have our first runner within the next three to four weeks all going well.”
Cunha is one of the few trainers in SA history to have won a Grade 1 while still in his twenties.
He did it in 2007 with the Australian-bred four-year-old colt Strategic News, who was ridden by Glyn Schofield.
Cunha was still one of the youngest trainers in the country when handing in his license in May 2010 citing the increasing gap between the buying power of the big yards and the small ones as the chief reason.
He felt he was still young enough to make a career change and was soon fulfilling another dream as an airline pilot.
In order to attain a training license in Britain Cunha had to go through a stringent process.
He first had to provide the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) with a business plan, professional references and a financial statement proving he could afford the venture.
Next he had to attain a Level 3 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care and Management.
He then had to attend and complete a one week course in Racehorse Management at the British Racing School (BRS) in Newmarket.
Finally, he had to attend a one-day seminar at Weatherbys in Wellingborough.
Dylan said, “Even though I was a Grade 1-winning trainer in South Africa, the hurdles were still there for me to jump and I can proudly say that the BHA and BRS really do a good job preparing a trainer for what lies ahead. The courses were amazing and the standard world class and the BRS and BHA licensing staff were extremely knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process.”
Dylan, besides being a trainer and airline pilot, has also done some auctioneering and has a serious hobby as an Ultra Marathon Runner.
He worked for trainers Robert Armstrong and Barry Hills in the UK many years ago while he was learning the ropes and also worked for current SA Champion trainer Justin Snaith.
He also rode three winners as an amateur.
After taking out his own license he was able to think out of the box despite being so young. As an example he often took his Summerveld string down to the beach for a refreshing and revitalising change of scenery.
He concluded, “I’ve trained on my own and won at a high level over every distance. However, I’ve grown up a lot since. I feel with additional years of life experience in the disciplined airline pilot environment and personally training myself for Ultra Marathons, I now have all the knowledge and skill to be successful in the UK. However, I will need the support of owners to purchase the horses. I am hands on and getting the basics right and extreme attention to detail sums me up well!”
Picture: Dylan Cunha riding on his former Summerveld property.
