OFF THE RECORD #27

Royal Victory: A Tale of Courage, Compassion and Healing

“In the quiet moments spent with a horse, we can find our centre, ground ourselves, and tap into the healing power of their presence.” – Author Unknown.

Above:  Royal Victory wins the 2023 Gr1 Betway Summer Cup

Royal Victory, a nominee in two categories for Saturday evening’s Highveld Awards, is a remarkable thoroughbred whose impact transcends the racetrack. Beyond his impressive racing record, Royal Victory has brought much needed joy and elation to those around him. Moreover, he has played a pivotal role in helping two families cope with severe trauma.

Above: Chantel Victor

The story of Royal Victory goes back to May 2011 when Chantel Victor, a passionate horse lover and the beautiful 18-year-old daughter of Pieter and Belinda Victor, was diagnosed with adrenal cancer. This diagnosis came just months after she had successfully completed her Matric year and was eagerly anticipating the start of her adult life and career. The news was devastating, as Chantel had been in excellent health, and this type of cancer is typically only seen in adults over the age of 40.

Pieter recalled, "They removed a massive tumour from Chantel's abdomen. She fought bravely for four years, but the cancer began spreading to the rest of her body, and she ultimately lost her battle in 2015. This was a period marked by profound sorrow and anguish that is difficult to put into words.”

Above: Savanah May

During this time, another young horse lover, Savanah May, one of three daughters born to Wendy May and adopted by her life partner, Nathan Kotzen, was living life in a way that deeply touched everyone around her. Savanah exuded a vibrant energy, with a loud, happy, and passionate demeanour, coupled with an infectious laugh that filled the room. She had a loving presence that left a lasting impact on those she encountered.

Savanah found joy in visiting her father's stable to spend time with her favourite horses, and she was always known by her laughter and playful banter. "You could hear her a mile away," recalled her sister, Natasha Culverwell, who assists Nathan at Summerveld. "She loved riding. Occasionally, she would take a horse for a canter around the tracks, or go for outrides in the Drakensberg."

Natasha fondly remembered, "Savanah especially enjoyed the Durban July, where she was always the life of the party. We would celebrate the excitement of the occasion with a few tequila shots and truly embrace those moments. I vividly recall the 2017 July, which turned out to be our last one together."

Tragically, Savanah had been struggling with turmoil in a personal relationship. The once vibrant and lively young woman gradually declined in the months leading up to November 2018. On the morning of November 15th, a devastating phone call shattered the hearts of her parents and relatives: Savanah was found dead, the victim of what was determined to be a suicide. She was 26 years old.

Natasha recalled, "It was just an ordinary Thursday morning when we received the news. A shadow of darkness fell over our family. Despite our closeness, the grief consumed us for months, nearly shattering us. Mom and Dad, in particular, were on the brink of giving up. Savanah's passing altered our lives forever."

***

In 2019, Nathan Kotzen acquired a young filly by Captain Of All. In honour of Savanah, the family named her Sav’s Star. Natasha recounted, "Savanah’s favourite colour was shocking pink, so we bought a pink bridle especially for the filly. Sav’s Star won her 1200m debut for us at Hollywoodbets Scottsville a week after the Durban July in 2020, bringing us to tears. She won again at this track in September 2019, marking the third leg of the stable’s first-ever treble, with jockey Muzi Yeni aboard. Muzi and Savanah were good friends, which made this success even more emotional. I told him at the time, 'Muzi, you had an angel named Savanah partnering with you on Sav’s Star today!'"

Sav’s Star’s pink bridle would later be passed on to a colt born at Ambiance Stud in the Western Cape just a month later, in October 2019. He was sired by Pathfork out of Kailani, and went to the 2021 National Yearling Sale unnamed. He would later be known as Royal Victory. Here he is as a yearling at Ambiance Stud.

***

The Pathfork colt out of the mare Kailani made his appearance in the sales ring at the TBA complex on 15 April 2021, eventually going under the hammer to Nathan Kotzen for R90,000. The trainer said: “I was drawn to him for many reasons. Some horses just have that special appeal that sets them apart. He was not only a physically impressive specimen but also had a pleasant temperament.”

After securing a buyer, Nathan faced a problem when the buyer had to withdraw from the deal at the sales grounds. Pieter Victor was there, jumped at the opportunity and bought 51% of the colt. The other shares were advertised on Facebook. Eventually, a partnership to race him was formed between Pieter and Belinda Victor, Chris and Natasha Sturdy, and Brandon Wiese.

Pieter Victor chose the name, “Royal Victory” and explained: “My late father owned many horses and he told me that runners with ‘royalty’ in their names are often very good. I looked up his pedigree, considered a few names and came up with a name that everyone liked.”

In March 2022, Royal Victory finished second in his first career start and then won his Maiden on 25 May 2022, almost seven years to the day of Chantel Victor’s death. Following that, he was just run out of it by Cousin Casey in Grade 1 features on July Day and Gold Cup day at Hollywoodbets Greyville and was then entered or September’s Grade 3 Graham Beck Stakes at Turffontein.

Pieter Victor received devastating news just before the Graham Beck Stakes. He recalled, "I'd been on a hunting trip with a friend who is a medical doctor. I had a sore throat during that trip. Several days after we returned, I was still in discomfort, and he advised me to have it checked out. Out of the blue, I was diagnosed with throat cancer. Surgeons removed a growth from the back of my throat, and I had to undergo weeks of chemotherapy, losing all my teeth in the process.

"It was a terrible ordeal, as unexpected as Chantel's diagnosis in 2011. There were several weeks when I was gravely ill, and my friends and family thought I wouldn't make it. In January 2023, I attended the Grade 3 Tony Ruffel at Turffontein. I was late, barely got to the track in time, and could hardly stand, but I saw Royal Victory win a superb race. I kept thinking about him, the way he won, his glorious presence, and his future prospects. It helped me through those torrid times fighting off the cancer challenge. I am in remission now. I don’t have saliva in my mouth, so I struggle to eat solids and have to swallow liquids most of the time. But I am alive, positive, and Royal Victory has played a big role in my recovery."

Royal Victory's form dipped during the winter of 2023, a period that seemed to mirror the health struggles of his part-owner. However, he, too, made a remarkable recovery and returned to his best on 15 October 2023, winning the Pinkdrive Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m at HWB Greyville. This victory, achieved in his distinctive pink bridle, was especially significant as it honoured a cancer charity.

Looking back on the race, Pieter Victor remarked, “There were concerns about his stamina leading up to the event, but his performance encouraged us to aim for the Grade 1 Summer Cup over 2000m at Turffontein.”

Despite being considered a longshot at 70-1 in the ante-post market, Royal Victory's connections grew more optimistic as Cup day approached. Natasha Culverwell recalled, “We were hopeful for a good showing, but the idea of winning seemed like a distant dream at that point.

“On the morning of 25 November, 2023, I woke up early with some sadness. I couldn't shake the feeling that if there was one race Savanah would have wanted to be at, it would be the Summer Cup with Royal Victory in the lineup. I went down on my knees and prayed. I said, “Savanah, Chantel, this race today is for you. I know you will be here with us. His pink bridle is for the both of you.”

Pieter Victor held the view that 70-1 was an outrageous price. He had studied all the collateral form lines and believed that Royal Victory should have been quoted at much shorter odds. There were others who shared his belief and before the start of the race, he shortened through 50-1 and into 33-1. Still, in the light of some tough opposition, a win seemed unlikely.

Natasha vividly recounted the contest: "Our team, along with the owners, gathered near the parade ring to watch the Summer Cup. As Clyde Basel's voice filled the air, exclaiming 'are you ready...?!' a wave of anticipation swept over us, sending shivers down our spines.

"Royal Victory was drawn wide, but Muzi bounced him out well and positioned him for cover in between horses and at the back of the field. In races like these, the world seems to blur, and you must focus intently. Clyde missed spotting Royal Victory bunched in at the back before the bend, but we could see his pink-bridled head bobbing on the screen. He continued to run smoothly.

"Clyde's announcement, 'They sweep the turn in the Betway Summer Cup, they are homeward bound!' heightened the tension and the crowd's excitement was building. The runners spread out across the track, and Royal Victory came into view. Muzi found a gap along the inside rail, and they surged forward. He was well in control, travelling hard, while others ahead appeared to be struggling.

"As Royal Victory changed legs at the 200m-mark, he accelerated. Clyde's voice rose again, 'Royal Victory is right there. He has burst through….' The seconds felt endless as we watched him approach the finish line with his graceful, powerful stride. He won in a truly regal manner.”

As Royal Victory paraded into the winner's enclosure, there were more waves of emotions, evident in the replay of the race and the lead-in. Tears flowed freely, and Belinda Victor was overcome with excitement, nearly fainting in the moment.

Above: Natasha Culverwell and Wendy May after the Summer Cup. (Candiese Lenferna)

Natasha said: “Our grooms were ecstatic, jumping with joy, while the rest of us stood there with arms stretched skyward, thanking the heavens. I couldn't help but recall my earlier prayer. Memories of Savanah flashed through my mind, and I felt an overwhelming happiness for my dad, a man who truly deserved this success, and for my mom, who had endured so much pain. I thought of Chantel and Pieter and Belinda, each with their own grinding battles.

“Gazing at Royal Victory's noble head, his eyes gleaming, and that pink bridle, I knew he had done more than just win a race. He had brought our families together, creating moments of pure elation. But, above all, he had saved us. He has been a beacon of light in our darkest hours. He has helped to heal our wounds and restore our spirits.”