The Stories Behind Owners’ Colours: Nicole Botha

One unusual aspect of Nicole Botha’s owners’ silks is that it depends on what angle you look at the jockey from to see what colour you’re going to see. On the rider’s left you’ll get a red sleeve and body, and from the right you will see green. From straight in front the picture is clear.

There’s the red on the left, the green on the right and in the middle is white. The same applies to the cap. If that seems the same as the Italian flag, it’s because it is. When Botha, the wife of trainer Piet, took out her individual colours she wanted to involve the spirit of Italy.

“Even though I’m born and bred Capetonian, I come from an Italian family and these colours are a way to pay homage to my heritage, which means a lot to me,” Botha says. “I took out the colours at the beginning of this season and have enjoyed success with them already.”

Indeed she has. Beneath the Moon was the first winner in her colours, coming on 3rd August and when stable star Baratheon won at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on 19th October he represented the 100th career winner for Piet Botha and carried Nicole’s silks.

She holds a degree in teaching but has gravitated towards marketing and has helped oversee the growth and visibility of the yard’s Dare 2 Dream Racing syndicate, with 16 winners produced by the stable so far this season.

“I attend every racemeeting and every time we have a winner, the adrenalin rush is the same as it was the first time. You never get used to that high! What has changed is that over time one gets more appreciative of the role that the jockey plays and also you care deeply for the welfare of the horse. Whether they win or not, the most important thing is that the horse comes back safely. Your horse is your baby, whether they’re carrying your colours or not.”