Trainer Profile: Adam Marcus

There was a time when Adam Marcus was the youngest licenced trainer in South Africa. That was when he started out with six horses in March 2012, a 24-year-old stepping out of the shadow casted by his celebrated dad, Basil. 

He’s no longer the new kid on the Koeberg Road block, but it’s fair to also say that in the ensuing 13 years Marcus, now 36, has carved out his own name in this tough industry, albeit one he was born into before spending his formative years in Hong Kong.

The stats tell the story of a trainer who is considered “a small yard” in the context of Cape Racing, but one which can hold its own against any of the heavyweights in the region, and South Africa for that matter.

He stands on 238 career wins, of which 21 are features, built on the back of being his Dad’s assistant trainer in Singapore for two years, a stint in Dubai with Herman Brown while Jay Peg and Desert Links were there and also spending time in Hong Kong (10 years) and then England (four years). 

“I do keep a close eye on the stats,” Marcus says as he settles down after another busy morning’s work at his Milnerton yard. As we signed off February and with five months of the season remaining, he had saddled 15 winners from 10 different horses. That compared well with a pre-and-post Covid-19 tally return of 20 (2019/20) and 15, 15, 13 and 21 in subsequent seasons.

And at the beginning of March his win rate was 15.3 percent, the highest in the Western Cape. 

His yard now houses 33 horses – and he’s looking to grow to around 50. “I would suggest that some of the success is because I’m a perfectionist and am meticulous when it comes to attention to detail. My goal is to bring out the best of every horse in the yard, and it feeds into the narrative of a racing team. Each horse is treated with care and professionalism.”

Loyalty, which is a two-way street, is something which stands out when listening to Marcus talk about his rise and where he is now. “I’ve got really good staff in my stable, some of whom have been with us for 15-20 years, even before I took over after coming back from Singapore. I’m very fortunate in that way, it makes a world of difference to have good, loyal staff.”

“This also helps with my owners, because they know that their horse is being well looked after. I’ve managed to build up my clients and although I have a small pool of owners, many of them have become friends. The reality is that it’s really difficult to break into the big circle in the Western Cape and I don’t have the buying power of the big yards. But, I still stay competitive and I think that is because of the professionalism at play and how we go about our work.”

Career highlights include Vardy’s win in the 2020 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and having his first Gr 1 with Missisippi Burning in the 2019 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas, which came the race before his first Gr 2 win with Vardy in the Green Point Stakes. He also trained the star filly Princess Calla for the majority of her career. Other quality individuals include Twist Of Fate, Priceless Jewel, Brave Move and Bereave, but he has ambitions of landing more big ones.

“While it is a dream to win a big handicap like the Hollywoodbets Durban July, I really think that the weight-for-age Grade Ones like the WSB CPT Met and L’Ormarins King’s Plate are the cherry on the top for me.”

Marcus is a deep thinker and the fact that racing runs through his blue-blooded veins makes it unsurprising to dig up his thoughts as a fresh-faced 24-year-old back in 2012.

Then, he had his views on the Polytrack and repeats them 13 years later. “Maintained correctly, it’s a very good racing surface, but as a [daily] training surface it’s not ideal. In the Cape we have natural sand tracks which are beautiful. But, when winter comes round and the rains force meetings to be postponed, the discussion about Polytracks in the Western Cape will be raised again.”

Marcus also had his views on syndication. “I feel that Syndicates have a vital role in the future of racing. I also believe there will be a market for Micro Ownership (larger syndicates that are currently popular in Japan). Horseracing is the only sport that a member of the public can participate in directly. It does not matter what percentage you own, the winning feeling is priceless.” 

That was 2012, this is now. “Perhaps my brother and I were ahead of our time when we started our ‘Be In The Race’ syndicate. But I like to think we played our part in getting the ball rolling! Now, I have two two-year-olds in a new stable syndicate named ‘P3 Racing Syndicate’, which ties in with our stable slogan, which is Marcus Racing – Pride, Power, Precision.”

Marcus has a passion and energy for the sport which can’t be bought over the counter at a pharmacy. Sure, he was born into the equine environment, but that only takes you so far. The rest you need talent and dedication, which the young trainer has in bucketloads.

“I love my job, what I do. I don’t see it as work when I’m with the horses. I also spend a lot of time away from the stable with racing on my mind. Often, I’m still looking through programmes at midnight. My horses get me out of bed early in the morning and I have a burning desire to bring out the best in every horse. That gives me a big thrill – and winning is the ultimate high!”

With the next round of Sales approaching, those owners looking to join a stable where quality over quantity is the focus might want to give Adam Marcus a call. He is sure to provide all the answers to any questions you have.

By Gary Lemke