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.