Dave The King is retired from racing

Former Equus Horse Of The Year, Dave The King, has been retired from racing. The popular six-year-old by Global View out of Touche (Jet Master), will be living a quality life at the Lourensford Wine Estate on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains near Somerset West, Western Cape.

Dave The King started his career as a two-year-old in June 2022, winning twice for Vaughan Marshall over 1200m before finishing third to Charles Dickens in the Grade 3 Cape Classic over 1400m.

He was transferred to Mike de Kock in February 2023 and won once over 1200m as a three-year-old, while giving a hint of what was to come with a close third to Princess Calla and See It Again in the 2023 HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m.

Dave The King truly came into his own at four with his big galloping action and exceptional cruising speed. He reeled off three successive wins during the 2023/4 Champions Season, including the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge (defeating Cousin Casey and See It Again) and the Grade 1 HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m, where Cousin Casey, Purple Pitcher and See It Again were again his wake.

On the strength of his 2024 streak of major wins, Dave The King was awarded Equus Horse Of The Year for the 2023/4 season.

He returned to KwaZulu-Natal to successfully defend his Grade 1 Champions Cup title for Mike and Mathew de Kock in 2025 with another superb, front-running display and had two big names behind him – Oriental Charm and Gladatorian.

Dave The King’s last win came in the 2025 Grade 2 Green Point Stakes, where he employed his massive stride again for a tremendously game win over a power-packed field including See It Again, Jet Force, Questioning, The Real Prince, Gladatorian and Snow Pilot.

Dave the King raced below his best in 2026 and the decision was made to retire him following his run in the 2026 Champions Cup. “It was a privilege and a pleasure to train Dave The King, a horse with a massive heart and a beautiful temperament. His niggles caught up with him this year, but he has left us with wonderful memories. His big presence in the yard will be missed.”

Dave The King competed for the partnership of Larry Nestadt, Ralphs Racing and his breeder, Gary Player. He raced 33 times for 9 wins and 10 places, and amassed R6.2-million in stake earnings.

Kathryn Ralphs reported that he has arrived at Lourensford Estate, he is a happy horse, and she said: “Dave’s already got a lot of hugs and kisses since his arrival. We can’t wait for him to be settled. He’ll be regularly ridden through the wine farms and have a happy life!”