THEY say there are three choices in life – give up, give in or give it all you’ve got.

Globe-trotting multiple SA champion trainer, Mike de Kock has more than a passing acquaintance with the concept of ‘giving it all you’ve got’. While he generally prefers actions to words, it seems he’s getting pretty good at both, which will come in handy as he tilts for a seat on the National RA Board.

Mdk: “If I can’t make a difference, I’ll move on”.

Given the size of Mike’s stable and the pressures of his travel schedule – both home and abroad – the most obvious question is what made him take the leap. “I wonder myself actually,” he jokes. Then adds more seriously, “It’s not something I volunteered for. A few people asked me to stand, Jessica proposed me and I think Bradley Ralph seconded me. I was in two minds, but having thought about it, I’ve been lucky enough to experience a lot of aspects of racing – I’ve travelled around the world and raced at a very high level, I’ve got a lot out of the game, and to be honest, I’m happy to give a bit back.”

With so many conflicting demands and expectations, it is hard to strike a balance that will please everyone. “I know racing admin, particularly in South Africa, is a thankless job – you might as well be a dartboard – but I want to try and do my best and impart my knowledge to improve whatever department I can to help the industry improve if I can. If I can’t, then I must move on,” he shrugs.

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