“It’s nice to have the pedigree and I’ve had success supporting undervalued local sires but it’s all about looking at a horse and picking out one that appeals to the whole eye.” explains Ennion. He rode successfully in amateur Cape Hunt meetings before getting his professional license as an owner/trainer with ten boxes in a prime location at Milnerton. That riding ability, together with in innate knack for seeing past the obvious when assessing the physical conformation of horses, gave Ennion an edge back in the

day, and remains the key to his longevity in an exceedingly tough game.

 

One of his biggest success stories was Symbolize, an older horse in training that he acquired as he felt ‘”it was crying out for more ground.” Putting the gelding over a longer route proved transformative and Symbolize went on to win multiple races at the highest level.

 

Like many an old school horseman, the self-confident, Ennion was not averse to backing his judgement at the betting windows and taking on the bookies in the Gold and Silver Rings. He diligently kept a “Black Book” noting horses from other yards who hinted at untapped potential that he could use in exotic combinations, such as Place Accumulators. He was also sufficiently shrewd, and bold enough, to occasionally win substantial sums wagering on his own horses at long odds when he thought they would outperform the market. By riding them at work he could properly gauge their quirks and fitness levels. Then, when they were tuned up and raring to go, Ennion was unafraid of taking on seemingly unstoppable hot shots from the big- name stables.

 

That giant killing act with cannily- bought racehorses, turned out in mint condition, continues – even if those victories to celebrate have been more sporadic of late (there were just seven winners from 167 horses saddled during a horrid last season.)

 

Take Saturday’s heavy-going Maiden victor at Kenilworth, Masterful Guy as an example. Bred by Barry Irwin of Team Valor International, this Master of My Fate gelding was a virtual throw out off Bennie Marais’ Klipdrift Stud with a parrot mouth and a problematic knee deterring other buyers.

 

Masterful Guy eventually found form this Winter, after taking a while to get underway whilst Ennion toiled against a bothersome virus in his stable for the first half of this year. A last start speed figure of 86 at his 15th outing, over the course and distance on the 31st of July, suggested he would be a big runner in Saturday’s 1600m Maiden.

 

The straight-talking, Ennion gave fellow owners (fishing friends, WD Mealing and Etienne Braun) some confidence. He advised that main rivals Future Turn and Allez Moris were immature youngsters, who would be stretched to their limit by the unusually deep and tiring track. Masterful Guy was given a fine front running steer by JP van der Merwe. They kept going gutsily to beat off challenges from the three-year-olds, just as the wily, Ennion predicted.

 

The jock said afterwards, “He is a decent sort who will win more and can stay further.” But, even holding on to in-form horses can be tricky, with offers from Mauritius forthcoming before Saturday’s victory by Masterful Guy. However, the substantial increase in Race-Cape stakes effective 1 st September, together with appearance fees of R2500 per start for the new season, now make it viable for owners to stay in horses that can pay their way locally. Given this “reprieve”, Ennion will be using all his “nous” to maximise Masterful Guy’s earnings. And, with his sharp eye for a horse, he might be able to discover yet another hidden gem, at the upcoming Johannesburg sales.

 

A pragmatic and usually upbeat person, Ennion admitted the lack of patronage was making him despondent – he was on the verge of not renewing his trainer’s license for ‘22/23. That is, until Greg Bortz Investments/ Hollywoodbets SA announced drastic plans to salvage Cape Racing. This exciting new overhaul prompted the veteran to rethink quitting – and instead soldier on.

 

Over many decades in racing, Ennion has repeatedly proven his ability to pick out inexpensive thoroughbreds that can run, get even the most awkward of horses fully fit, then place them correctly to optimize their latent ability. It would be great to see this resilient character, who has been struggling under the radar over the last couple of years, find a rare diamond in the rough and pull off another inspired, Symbolize- like coup or again campaign a high-class animal reminiscent of legendary speedball, Karthala.

 

That would be a cool send-off before the stalwart eventually calls time on a storied racetrack career and revs up the outboard motor on his fishing ski boat to relax for good and swap yarns with his sea-faring mates.