Looking Ahead With Confidence

Mike and Mathew de Kock enjoyed an excellent 2025/2026 season with 97 winners at an impressive win rate of 17.38%, and a third place on the all-inclusive trainer’s stakes log with earnings of R15,555,037.

There were Grade 1 wins by Jan Van Goyen in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and Haute Couture in the Gold Medallion, and Grade 2 successes for Splittheeights (TAB Gauteng Guineas), and Curious Girl, who became the first filly to win the TAB SA Derby in 109 years. Other feature winners included Flower Island, I’m A Fireball, Miami Mountain and Aladdin’s Lamp.

The De Kock “baby” team, under the guidance of Diane de Kock and Vivian Nkosi, has always prided itself on producing well-educated, well-conditioned young thoroughbreds. The results have always spoken for themselves. There were no fewer than 14 individual two-year-old winners, winning 17 races between them, and most of them earned substantial sales bonuses.

There are a number of highly promising runners among our now three-year-olds, representing our classic firepower for the 2026/7 season – with a few more to come through the ranks.

Mat commented: “We are extremely proud of what we achieved in this “rebuilding” phase, our first full season as a partnership, which has only been in place for 18 months.

“We cannot thank our valued patrons enough for their support. Without them, none of this would be possible. We look forward to the season ahead with great excitement and aim to improve on last season’s results. We have always aimed at being one step ahead of the game and utilising the best personnel, facilities, and technology available.”

Mike said: “Our training team and grooms at Randjesfontein and Summerveld have worked hard and looked after their runners with focus and care. We are very pleased with their continued professional conduct and horsemanship.

“De Kock Racing Team is always striving to be the best, and the amazing support of our sponsors, Lucky Fish, is making a difference in pursuit of this objective. This season we will again focus on hard work, planning and executing. We cannot wait for the rains to come, and are looking forward to all that lies ahead.”