Querari gelding Handsome Prince (closest) gives Michelle Rix a winner with her first runner after going on her own (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Sarah Whitelaw
Michelle Rix recently enjoyed a notable milestone in her training career when she sent out Handsome Prince to win at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
In the process, Handsome Prince became Michelle’s first winner, from her first starter, since the dissolution of her training partnership with father Harold.
A horse described by his trainer as “an absolute professional of a horse who gives a 110% of himself,” Handsome Prince’s victory overwhelmed Michelle, who had expected a big run from the Querari gelding but was pleasantly surprised by the win.
Michelle and Harold had been training together since 2019, with that combination enjoying plenty of success notably with the brilliant Kommetdieding.
The latter, a bargain R55 000 Klawervlei Farm Sale purchase, was one of the best and most popular horses of his generation, with Kommetdieding’s six victories including the 2021 G1 Vodacom Durban July and 2022 G1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met.
Now standing at Klawervlei, Kommetdieding’s first yearlings go on sale in 2026.
Michelle says her former charge’s outstanding characteristics was “Dominated by a workmanlike demeanour. He was a very calm and collected horse who always knew what his job at hand was. I feel if those characteristics are passed down onto his offspring it can only be an added benefit. “
Michelle says that her father taught her the foundation of training and laid the groundwork for her career. Other people to have helped and advised Michelle early on include such friends as Candice Dawson, Brett Crawford and Dennis Bosch.
The trainer pays tribute to prominent owner Jonathan Bloch, with the latter having been instrumental in helping Michelle form longstanding and valuable relationships with her owners.
Michelle, who currently has 45 horses in her yard, also pays tribute to the likes of Ready Steady Go (“a horse who always tested his limits”) and Elusive Winter(“a shy, timid horse).
The latter was a particularly rewarding horse for the yard, with Michelle and her team having spent a great deal of time building Elusive Winter’s confidence which has seen the son of Captain Of All win five times.
Michelle has a team of 17 people assisting her in the yard, including assistant trainer Roderick Fredericks.
She mentions Triple Crown winner Malmoos as a young stallion whose stock have impressed her, and says when looking at a horse she likes to see a well balanced individual with a good eye.
When asked about which win provided her with the most satisfaction, Michelle picked out her July success with Kommetdieding, but also paid tribute to a horse named What A Thief. The latter had a very severe facial injury which should have been both life and career ending for him, however through the patience of Westward Bloodstock’s Fiona Carmichael and the team at home, What A Thief was able to get back to the course where he shed his maiden tag.
Her goals going forward are to nurture her current crop of two-year-olds and see them reach their full potential, while Michelle would also like to enjoy G1 success in Gauteng.
Michelle also emphasizes the growing importance of syndicates to the South African horse racing industry, saying, “Race Coast has done a phenomenal job in giving syndicate members a racing experience that is second to none. This has enabled us as trainers to help them evolve from syndicate members to becoming individual owners.”
She has the following advice for people interested in getting into horse-racing, “Enjoy every minute of the high and be prepared for the low. It’s a game of longevity.”
Judging by her recent success, it seems more than likely Michelle Rix and her team will enjoy more highs in the seasons to come.
