Congratulations to Vengi Masawi!
Thursday, 11 Sep 2025
The Sporting Post reported: "Three seconds from his first eight runners and the ninth bagged the glorious icebreaker!
"Hollywood Racing’s Ashburton-based conditioner Vengi Masawi will remember Wednesday 10 September 2025 forever as a watershed day in the extraordinary career of a Groom who realised his dream to become a Trainer.
"Living proof that hard work and commitment can make dreams come true, Zimbabwe-born Vengi Masawi saddled the 5yo What A Winter gelding Mvelelo – aptly meaning ‘continuous growth’ in Tshivenda – to a glorious victory under Sean Veale in the final race of the midweek polytrack fixture in Durban."
There were tears of joy in the winner's enclosure.
"I don't have words to explain how happy I am," said Vengi. "Thank you for the support given to me by Mr Owen Heffer and Devin Heffer, and Anthony Delpech. Also to Mr Brian Makwabara, my brother from Zimbabwe, and my team. Also to the De Kock family, thank you all so much!"
"Vengi is a very dedicated hard worker," said an emotional Delpech. "I am so happy for him. I work very hard with him, we talk a lot together. I am so proud, this is one of the proudest moments of my career. He is a very good horseman, passionate about his job."
Mike, Diane de Kock and Mathew de Kock expressed similar sentiments, having witnessed Vengi's growth over the last almosy 20 years. "Vengi will go from strength to strength, this first winner is just the start of what we believe will be a very good career," said Mike.
