Mdk Staff Profiles # 8: David Blaai

Mdk Staff Profiles: David Blaai

NAME

David Blaai, 48 years old, and was born in Tsolo Transkei.

FAMILY

I’m married to Nomzukis and I have three boys and two girls.

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU WORKED FOR MDK AND WHAT ARE YOUR DUTIES?

I have worked here for 26 years as a groom and barn manager.  I also do all the prep grooming for racing, cutting the hair in the ears and pulling the manes.

GIVE US DETAILS OF PAST EMPLOYMENT AND ANY INTERESTING STORIES ABOUT YOUR RACING EXPERIENCE?

I started with Ricky Maingard in 1991 as a groom.  My brother persuaded me to come work in racing, he was Maingards supervisor.  I learnt to ride and work with horses there. Then I moved to MDK. I used to travel to Durban and Cape Town with the horses.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE HORSES?

A horse who comes to mind is Penalty Kick, he won four races.  My favourite back in the day was Horse Chestnut.  I used to assist his groom Abram with him at the races and leading him to track.  I looked after Velvet Green for Mary Slack and she won The Garden Province. I also groomed Grey Arrow. 

My all time favourite was Golden Hoard, who I looked after.  The one year he ran second in the July and also third. He won the Guineas at Greyville and was second in the Daily News.  With my presents I was able to pay lobola and build my house.  My current favourite in the yard is Hawwaam.

WHAT DO YOU ENOY ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I enjoy working with the De Kock family. I have watched Mathew grow up in front of me and then worked for him. I like to work with the horses.