Mdk staff profiles # 4: Bruce Makhubalo

Mdk staff profiles # 4

NAME

Mxoleleni Makhubalo, known as Bruce. Aged 44. Born in Tsolo.

FAMILY

I’m married to Philiswa and I have two girls and one boy.

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU WORKED FOR MDK AND WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT WORKING HERE. WHAT IS YOUR POSITION?

I am a registered stable employee and have worked here for 23 years.  I love working with horses and traveling abroad.

GIVE US SOME DETAILS OF PAST EMPLOYMENT AND INTERESTING STORIES WHILE WORKING FOR PREVIOUS EMPLOYERS AND HERE?

I started working in racing with Spike Lerena and worked for him for two years. I then joined MDK. I started as a groom and Workrider. I worked myself up the ranks and am now racing man as well as stable employee. I hope to do my assistants license this year. In 2016 I travelled to the  UK to look after the quarantine horses at Abington. I worked with Steven Jell for the first year, he really took good care of me.  I went a couple more times and looked after horses like Noah from Goa and also Last Winter.

NAME A COUPLE OF YOUR FAVOURITE  HORSES

My favourite horse was Ipi Tombe. I was her groom when she won the 2002 July. Thundering Star was also my horse and he won the Gold Cup.  Another one I need to mention is Emperor Napoleon, who unfortunately passed away but I will always remember him.  I look after Buffalo Bill Cody now. My Favourite horse is Hawwaam.

DO YOU HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE YOU CAN REMEMBER THAT WAS A HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR CAREER?

I have many highlights but the one that stands out was when Janoobi won at Turffontein to give MDK his 3000th winner.  We really celebrated that day.