Dean Alexander, the managing partner at the prestigious Gary Alexander Racing Stables, holds a business degree as well as an assistant racehorse trainers licence. Dean was a Steward at both Vaal Turf Club and the Gosforth Park Turf Club until clubs amalgamated to form Phumelela Gaming & Leisure Ltd. For the past twenty-five years, Gary & Dean have been a formidable team and have had continued success on the racetracks of South Africa.
They made record-breaking purchases at the last Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale. The Impact speaks to Dean Alexander about his plans for this year's edition of the same sale:
Q: Please tell us about your buying plans for this year?
A: We will not be attending any international sales this year; we will do most of our shopping at the Emperors Palace Ready to Run Sale in Johannesburg this November.
Q: Please how long have you been involved with the thoroughbred industry and what are the activities which you undertake
A: In 1982 I was granted my training license by the then Jockey Club of Southern Africa, I took over the reins from my father.
I have trained over 1500 winners to date, which includes over 100 Group & listed race winners. I received a special achievement award from the Racing Association in 2006 and in 2012 I was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the Racing Association. I was voted trainer of the year in 2000 by the Racing Association when
I won no less than 13 Group races in that season.
Q: Please tell us about the most expensive horse you have ever purchased
A: From time to time I shop in the expensive range, it all depends on the horse and whom I am buying for. Some of my best-performed horses such as Tommy Hotspur, Imperious Sue, Piere Jourdan & Icy Air only cost between R40 000 to R60 000. For me, it is important that the horse meets my criteria rather than the window dressing surrounding the horse.
Q: Please tell us a bit more about your selection process when from the time the catalogue is release until you actually buy the horse?
A: When I was younger,I travelled extensively and visited racing establishments and attended thoroughbred sales in most racing countries. Through a client at the time, I met Guy Harwood and visited his stable on a few occasions. I was fortunate enough to work the Keenland Sales with him and James Delahooke, I learnt so much in that week obtained an incredible amount of knowledge about purchasing yearlings.
I try and view as many horses as I can and rate them according to my criteria. Then I make a shortlist and review the ones I think will suit the pocket and criteria. I will bid up to the limit I place on a horse. I may go an extra bid or two if I really like a horse but not much more than what my limit is.
Q: Please tell us about your family etc?
A: Steeped in racing tradition, the Alexander racing dynasty dates back to my late father, Duncan Alexander. He was a leading light-weight jockey in South Africa. So, I was born into a racing family.
Dean Alexander is my younger brother and business partner; Dean holds a business degree as well as an assistant trainers’ licence. Dean was appointed a Steward at the Vaal Turf Club in 1990 and thereafter was appointed a steward at Gosforth Park Turf Club a position he held until the clubs amalgamated to form Phumelela Gaming & Leisure Ltd. For the past thirty years, we have been a formidable team.
My sister Julie Alexander is a Tellytrack presenter, she started to work for me after she obtained her diploma in marketing management. Julie was an integral part of my team for many years until she was offered a full-time position at Tellytrack. She now has a full-time position with Bidvest, but still presents for Tellytrack on the weekends.
I am married to Danica and we have two children, Sasha (11yrs) & Johnmarc(8yrs).
Published In The Impact 21 Issue, 2 Vol
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