Vale Costa Livanos!

We are sad to announce today the passing of stable patron Costa Livanos, on Saturday night, following illness.

Costa was one of South Africa’s major racehorse owners in the 1970s and 80s with runners including Ulterior Motive, Mighty Mandarin, Oliva’s Joy and Coldstream Guard, racing around the country.

In later years he continued his regular racing investments and owned the stakes winner Admiral Bolitho. He joined us in the early 2000s with the grey Gang Related, who won seven races including the Java Handicap and the Drum Star Handicap, and finished second in the 204 Summer Cup to Tyson. More recently, he raced horses like Flirtation, Kingmambo’s Legacy, Noble Secret and Port Key.

In 2010, Costa finally got his major winner when Flirtation beat Mother Russia in the Gr1 Summer Cup and a delighted Costa exclaimed: “Speechless, I am speechless! Recently I took a back seat, I tried not to get too emotionally involved with my runners because it distressed me and my family and now look, the tide has turned!”

Mike de Kock commented at the time: “It seems that Costa has found the secret to staying youthful. He looks more or less exactly the same than he did 30 years ago. Costa and his brother Lolly were already local legends when most of us, the current industry workers, entered the game in the late 70s and early 80s. I am very pleased, proud to have trained this big winner for him and I speak on behalf of my team too.”

Ironically Flirtation died just a week ago, after the National Yearling Sale on which her beautiful chestnut filly, Alice May, did not reach her reserve price. Steven Jell of Mauritzfontein said: “Our condolences to the Livanos family. We will be racing Alice May ourselves in partnership with friends.”

Speaking on Sunday, Mike said: “Costa was a stable stalwart, a faithful supporter and he will be sorely missed. He and his wife Billie-Anne often visited us at the stable until he got sick, but we still communicated on the phone. He loved his horses and he enjoyed a good bet, we always had fun on and off the track. He was especially close to Mathew. Our deepest sympathies to Billie-Ann, Peter and the rest of the Livanos family.

Speaking from Cranbourne, Australia, Mathew de Kock said: “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Costa, Billie-Anne and the Livanos family my entire career of racing. They were loyal clients even before I joined the yard.

“In recent times Costa, Billie-Anne and I got very close and this was a direct result of their passion for horses and racing. Costa was a true gentleman and great example for us young men. He loved his racing, soccer and most of all his family. He will be sorely missed by all of us.

“Our best wishes to Billie-Anne and the Livanos family during this tough time. Rest in peace, my dear friend!”

Costa was also known for his business acumen. He started Livanos Brothers (Electrical) over 40 years ago and this business electrified in excess of 100,000 houses all over the country (and approximately 50,000 houses in Soweto). The family business evolved and expanded their enterprises over time. The Livanos Group was formally founded in 2001 by Costa’s son, Peter Livanos, who manages the group today.