Peter’s decision to quit not taken lightly

Jack Milner

While Paul Peter sent shockwaves throughout the South African racing world on Thursday by his decision to hand in his trainer’s licence with immediate effect, the current champion trainer says the move has been in the pipeline for quite a while.

“I’m not a person who handles pressure well and the stress of the job has played havoc with my health,” said Peter on Friday.

“In fact, according to my doctor, I should be recuperating in hospital.

“My family are the most important people in my life and their wellbeing and security is top of my priorities. Since I’ve been doing this job, I get to the stable at 5am and by the time I have finished talking to owners it is 10pm.

“I have had no time with my family at all and that is not a healthy situation.”

On Thursday Peter went to the National Horseracing Authorities offices to explain the reasons for his decision. “Everybody tried to talk me out of it. All my owners have been incredibly supportive and pleaded with me to stay on.

“But at the end of it they all said I should do whatever is best for me and my family,” said Peter.

He did offer the stable to his son Tony, who has been his assistant trainer, but he did not want the job. So as a result, the decision was taken to close down the yard.

The NHA then put out a statement. “At a meeting held at the NHA offices on Thursday 8 September at 11.30am, the Chief Executive has been informed by Trainer Mr Paul Peter that he intends to relinquish his Trainer’s Licence after Saturday’s race meeting at Turffontein.

“The Licencing Committee of the NHA has resolved that pursuant to the request of Mr Peter, his Trainer’s Licence be withdrawn with effect from 11 September 2022 in accordance with the authority of the Licencing Committee under the Rules and Constitution of the NHA.”

On Friday 5 August Peter and Tony were on their way to owner Laurence Wernars’ offices to pass on the saddlecloth worn by Shangani when the gelding won the Gold Cup when they drove into the middle of a security van being hijacked on the highway. The hijackers must have thought they were police because they fired at their motor vehicle with bullets flying into their vehicle.

“How neither of us was hit is a miracle,” said Peter. “The car was riddled with bullets.

“That was a really traumatic experience, and we still have not got over the effects of that incident. It also has added to the pressure.”

Peter had 220 horses in his yard which he needs to take care of before shutting up shop.

“My immediate task is to organise the horses and to help organise my grooms and try to help them get jobs at other stables,” added Peter.

“Half the horses have already gone.”