Michael Robinson...

Might just be a trainer worth following and supporting...

Mark van Deventer: Cape Town – “Here’s to you Mr Robinson.”

Professional careers can take intriguing twists and unexpected turns. Cape-based trainer Michael Robinson can testify to that rollercoaster as he embarks on the next working adventure.

After training privately for the Rupert dynasty on their magnificently resourced stud-wine farm L’Ormarins underneath the Drakenstein mountains, the decision not to have racehorses trained on the property sees Robinson moving on to a new role.

He is now operating as a public trainer from the Philippi training base. Currently with just eight horses in training and prepping 11 others for the Ready To Run Sale in November, he certainly has room to expand. It is a big transition, but Robinson is an adaptable character, eager to make the most of shifting circumstances.

Speaking about the change of scenery, Robinson said: “The tracks are good, many top horses have been trained here so it bodes well.”

Indeed, his former boss Dennis Drier uses Philippi as his preferred venue when preparing his charges for their seasonal plundering of local prizes. Drier perennially notches up a high winning strike-rate, particularly when raiding the Cape with his “A Team”, so he will be proud of his protégé’s statistical record.

Working with a limited string, Robinson stepped out just 100 runners since September 2009. In that four-year period, 17 of them were winners, with eight others notching second place. In a more recent trend, he has sent out eight winners from his last 30 runners, including kick-starting his public training career with a winner for thrilled owner Mary Slack.

Pressed about his goals, he spoke with conviction and clarity of purpose. “I want to build on this good start, grow my string and eventually be seriously competitive in the bigger races.”

Robinson could not have had a better grounding to turn that vision into a reality. Drier and his wife Gill remain supportive, monitoring his progress and encouraging Robinson as if he was their own son. Not only did he spend six productive years learning under “Uncle Den”, he also spent four years with master horseman Chris Snaith and acquired further tutelage with Mike Stewart, who is a dab hand working with troublesome and unsound horses.

Whilst at Drakenstein, a regular advisor was Terrence Millard – Robinson acknowledges that the accumulated wisdom, regularly and willingly shared by the legendary maestro, has been invaluable.

When asked about his methods and ways in which a modern trainer can achieve a competitive edge, Robinson replied: “The trick is to keep things simple and focus on doing the basics really well. It’s easy in this game to get too clever. Instead, I try stick to what I’ve learnt from my mentors about good horsemanship.”

Blessed with a good eye for a thoroughbred, Robinson, who is a humble, gentlemanly soul in a hard game populated by some oversize egos, understates the complexity of his craft and his own skill.

Of course there are many pitfalls along the way to becoming a successful trainer. He is under no illusions that attracting patrons with buying power, securing good facilities, selecting quality stock, getting them fit to race then placing them appropriately, plus dealing with labour and financial issues all form part of a cyclical and at times fraught business.

But Robinson has the right background and a determination to refine already proven training skills, so is predicted to make a big success of his new venture as a public trainer.

It may take a while but with growing support from discerning patrons and a dose of essential good fortune, expect to see Michael Robinson achieve greater prominence over the next few years.

This guy gone into journalism now then.

Good man top class wish him all the best

Wish Michael all the best -D

Another Dennis Drier graduate,a horseman out the top drawer who deserves support (tu)

If i remember correctly....he is married to Mike Bass' daughter.......apologies if im wrong

He is such a wonderful guy who always has a smile on his face, he used to always give me lifts to the groom school when I stayed at summerveld . All the best Mike

PeeKay Wrote:

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> If i remember correctly....he is married to Mike
> Bass' daughter.......apologies if im wrong


Doug Campbell's daughter

Titch Wrote:

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> PeeKay Wrote:
>

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>

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> > If i remember correctly....he is married to
> Mike
> > Bass' daughter.......apologies if im wrong
>
>
> Doug Campbell's daughter

You probably thought Candy Robinson.......................

Not far off, there's Sugar Hill in the blood.

mikesack Wrote:

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> You probably thought Candy
> Robinson.......................
>
> Not far off, there's Sugar Hill in the blood.

LOL In top form so early in the day