Mdk staff profiles # 5: Sonke Cacambile

Mdk staff profiles # 5

NAME
Sonke Cacambile, age 33. Born in the Eastern Cape

FAMILY
Married to Amanda and I have two boys.

How many years have you worked for MDK and what are your duties here?
I have worked for MDK for seven years. I am a groom and take care of our champion Hawwaam.

Give is details of past employment and any interesting stories about your job?
I started working in racing in 2010 for Sean Tarry. My first days on the job I was very scared.  I used to ride the horses at home but the racehorses were very different to the horses at home. I moved to Mike de Kock in 2013. 

Who are your Favourite horse or horses?
I looked after Puget Sound and he was one of my favourites.  He was the first Onamission syndicate horse and myself and all the grooms had a shares in him. He was a good horse. I look after my number one favourite, Hawwaam. When I arrive in the morning and go into his box, he licks me! This is funny because he likes to bite everyone.  Then when I bring the saddle to go to track he fights with me.  He walks very fast to the track and is a nice ride.  At the track when we do a warm up trot, he gets very angry if there are horses behind him.  I am happy looking after Hawwaam as he has changed my life financially.

Do you have any experience you can remember that was a highlight in your career?
When Hawwaam won the R4-million Champions Challenge. And also receiving an award for the most outstanding groom at the Racing Association awards