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Today's Racing :

Racing legend Beck dies at 80

Andrew Harrison
One of the legends of South African horseracing, Graham Beck (80), died on Monday night after a long illness. His family was at his bedside in London, including his wife of 50 years, Rhona.
A coalmining magnate and Chairman of Kangra Holdings amongst many other companies, Beck was granted colours in 1973 and his famous brown, white V bib and white cap with brown spots were carried to victory by many a champion, most recently Dancer’s Daughter in the 2008 Vodacom Durban July.
Outside of his corporate life, horse racing was Beck’s passion and during the 1970 and 80’s had a huge string of horses with trainers such as Syd Laird, Terrance Millard, Herman Brown, Alistair Gordon, Ralph Rixon, Michael Azzie and David Payne amongst others. Among the great horses he raced, many in partnership with his great friend Laurie Jaffee, were Secret Service, Zatopek, Dambuster, Arctic Cove, Diorissimo, Hawkins, Ton-Up, The Rutland Arms and more recently Dancer’s Daughter.
Beck was also a major thoroughbred breeder both in South Africa and the United States. Locally he started Noreen Stud and later bought Highlands Studs Farms and Maine Chance. He later sold Maine Chance to Dr Andreas Jacobs.
In the US, Beck bought the famous Gainesway Farm, now managed by his son Anthony, where Wolf Power stands at stud.
In his early days Beck was a steward of the Benoni Turf Club and later vice-chairman of the Germiston Sporting Club, the clubs racing at the now defunct Gosforth Park.
Graham Beck Wines was established in 1983 when Beck purchased Madeba farm outside Robertson with a fervent ambition to establish a world-class winery in this region.
He was also a man of compassion and humanity. The Graham and Rhona Beck Skills centre in Robertson being a tribute to his tireless efforts to uplift and enrich the lives of the people around him. He is survived by his wife Rhona and son Anthony.

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