WATCH OUT, ITS SHARK ATTACK!

by Devin Heffer

The newest addition to the Sharks Rugby team is not quite a flyhalf from France, but an equine flying machine from the Bart Rice stable - SHARK ATTACK! Shark Attack is a 2 year old bay colt that was bred by Ricky Smit, the founder of The Nicholas Rey Foundation (NRF). Shark Attack came into the picture when his mother FAR AND AWAY was donated to the NRF by the Summerveld Equine Hospital in 2006, in order to raise funds for the foundation. The dam was sent to Cape Town where she was covered by sire CASEY TIBBS, and the foal arrived on the 23rd of November 2008.

Click here to download the full Document

In recognition of his 50-year-long contribution to the game at local, sub-union, provincial and national level, both as a player and administrator, Chris Edwards (left) was paid a tribute at a benefit function for the Cunningham Kemp Spinal Injury Trust Fund at the Umfolozi Hotel Casino and Convention Resort in Emapngeni recently. The elder statesman of Zululand Rugby was presented with an eLan Rugby Legends blazer by CEO of SARLA John Allan, and token of appreciation on behalf of SARU president Oregan Hoskins by Gary Meyer. JR

Click here to download the full PDF

Luyt Lager backs Shark Attack

The Foundation is proud to announce that a new partnership was established between the Trust and Luyt Lager in early January 2011. The most obvious thing for Luyt Lager to do was to show its commitment, and to obtain a share in the racing career of Shark Attack, the colt bred by Ricky Smit, Founder of the Nicholas Rey Foundation. Shark Attack was sired by Casey Tibbs, who also sired Big City Life, winner of the 2009 Vodacom Durban July. “It brings everyone together”, says Smit. “The Foundation is a North Coast initiative which was launched by me, in 2005, both the Rey and Luyt families live on the North Coast and we are very fortunate to have our very own Luyt Lager Brewery, on the North Coast. “Being a long time friend of the Rey Family, we decided to support this worthwhile and much needed cause”… says Dr Louis Luyt. “I have been very involved with the Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Rugby Fund and I recognise many similarities between these two organisations. Commenting on this new partnership, Director Louis Luyt Jnr said:” We’ve chosen the Nicholas Rey Foundation as one of the equine-type organisations that we’d like to be involved in because of the close relations that exist between us all. This is all very exciting and new for us and we look forward to getting more intimately involved in the equine industry in the future.” Read More

Support from Floral Fantasia

The committee of “Floral Fantasia” all put their various thoughts on charities forward and a suggestion of the Nicholas Rey Foundation was received unanimously. Whatever profit the KZNAFA will make will be shared with the Foundation. They will meet again in January 2011 and will report back to Ricky Smit on the progress.

Update on Shark Attack - Dec 2010

I am pleased to feedback that Shark Attack has improved drastically in all manners! He has built up into a robust strong colt who works very enthusiastically. He comes onto the bit and uses his hindquarters well and he looks bigger under saddle as he strides out so well. His nature has settled a lot now that he is working. He was nervous and wanted to bolt away from his handler and now he is a lot less spooky and silly. He has got very thick in the neck and tends to be developing into a heavy type of colt. This conformational factor and his potential to be nervous when under pressure both suggest that he would benefit from being gelded. This would be done in the New Year when all the vets are back at work and once you have discussed this with his owners. He is otherwise ready to go into training.

Shark Attack turns 2!

The During 2006, the Summerveld Equine Hospital donated a Thoroughbred Mare to the NRF, the sole aim to raise funds in some way using her. After an attempt was made to have her trained for racing, it was decided that she would be a better broodmare due to her age. Negotiations took place between various role players and she was finally sent to Cape Town for covering by Stallion, Casey Tibbs who is standing at the Hemel en Aarde Stud in Hermanus. She was returned to Summerveld Equine Hospital during early 2007 and the foal arrived on 23 November 2008.

On the 9th of December 2008 at the Summerveld Equine Hospital, the NRF arranged a small event celebrating the arrival of the foal. Many guests attended this function and it was on this day, that Keegan Daniel, Sharks Player, was given the task of naming the foal. This is how SHARK ATTACK came about!

After the ceremony, Shark Attack and his mother, Far and Away, were taken to Roski Stud, where they lived together under the special care and attention of Stud owner and breeder, Greg Royden-Turner.

Shark Attack is a “late” foal, which means that he is at least 3 months younger than his peers, but this did not stand in his way in any way. Far and Away proved to be a very good, caring mother and she protected her boy with all she had. At first, mother and baby had a huge paddock to themselves, but as the time went by, they shared paddocs with other mares and babies. Soon, Shark Attack learnt to fend for himself as he grew up to be a fine young colt, with a lovely nature but with the typical attitude one would expect from a Shark!

Shark Attack was separated from his mother when he was about 6 months old and she retired at Zimbali Coastal Resort, where she is still standing today. Shark Attack stayed behind at Roski Stud until he was ready to take the next leap in his life.

On Monday 21st June 2010, Shark Attack was taken to Ambleway Spelling Farm, just South of Pietermaritzburg, where he will spend the next few months at “prep-school” with other young horses under the care of owner, Jane Trotter.

Although Shark Attack’s actual birth date was in November, he will officially be 2 years old on the 1st of August 2010, which is the birth date of all race horses.

HOW IT HAPPENED To make this all possible, we needed the help and support from various role players, and I will now list them (in no particular order) to indicate how it all came about: Read More

medical bills covered

The Nicholas Rey Foundation has once again put a smile on the face of former Pretoria jockey, Talita van Rooyen. The organisation, which helps victims of horse accidents, has covered the cost of her latest medical bills. The 32-year old Van Rooyen was left paralysed in 2005 when her horse fell and rolled on top of her, breaking her neck in four places. The organisation previously bought the unemployed Van Rooyen a custom-made wheelchair and enrolled her in a one-year computer course.