Lafraisiere won Zimbabwe’s most prestigious race, the Gr 1 Castle Tankard, with a horse he part-owns, the Alyson Wright-trained Code Rock, in 2012.

Kevin Wright commented, “He is an absolute gentleman, a pleasure to train for and his roots in racing are deep.”

Lafraisiere has had about 15 wins in South Africa and still has horses with the Wrights as well as with Brian Wiid and Glen Kotzen.

He was the Gold Circle owner of the month in July 2012.

Lafraisiere has had over 70 wins in Mauritius and, on top of being a member of the Mauritius Turf Club, is the ex-Chairman of the horseracing association in Mauritius, the AEPS.

As a successful businessman and knowledgeable racing man Lafraisiere should be good for the game in a region where racing innovations are sorely needed in the tough current economic climate.

He has already stated that one of his aims in becoming a steward is “co-operation between South African racing and Mauritius.”

Picture: Christian Lafraisiere (Nkosi Hlophe)