Harness racing is trotting and pacing forward---albeit slowly---in South Africa.

Considering that it's starting from zero, everything done must be considered progress at this point. I've previously written about how Swedish trotting interests helped stimulate an interest in South Africa by contributing equipment and other support.

Their efforts have started to pay dividends. Last month the first formalized harness races (non-betting) were held in Senekal in the Free State province of South Africa. Some 112 horses competed in events for drivers (both black and white) ranging in age from 17 to 68. The events were contested over a distance of 1,400 meters or 7/8-mile.

These are not true Standardbreds, mind you, but Boerperd horses that simply have the ability to trot and pace. The races are mixed in gaits.

"We currently have six newly-arrived Standardardbreds from Sweden and one from Australia," says Dean Latimer, chairman of Harness Racing South Africa. "We really need a Standardbred stallion into the country now so we can mate him to these Boerperd mares." (Anyone out there willing to donate a stallion or even frozen semen to South Africa? If so, contact me.)

Latimer was involved in 40 years in the Thoroughbred industry, including a couple years in the U.S. when he was younger.

"I worked for Danny Van Clief's Nydrie Stud preparing sale yearlings, Claiborne Farm breaking yearlings, and spent a while with John Ward, Jr. at Keeneland," recalls Latimer. "Most wonderfully, I did a course in racing administration based at Belmont Park."

Thoroughbred racing has been established in South Africa since the 1860s with nine tracks in the country. A South African horse finished second in the Breeders Cup and they compete successfully in Dubai. South African jockeys have also had an impact.

Swedish trotting interests spotted a future for their sport and their simulcasts in South Africa and have provided free live simulcasts for South African bettors.

"We earn a 3 percent royalty," says Latimer. "That's much needed for our start-up."

Prominent Swedish journalist, breeder and owner Peter Jansson (a shareholder in Donato Hanover) has visited Latimer in South Africa and is raising funds in Sweden.

"It is likely that jog carts will be manufactured locally (in South Africa) soon," says Latimer.

Harness Racing South Africa gets no government support and racing in general suffers from an elitist image in the country, says Latimer. He hopes that the amateur participation in the sport helps it gain popularity.

This week news reports surfaced about a revitalization of racing (Thoroughbred, of course) in China, so why not harness racing in South Africa. Having talked to Dean Latimer, he seems like a very determined and dedicated individual. He knows it will take far beyond his lifetime to fully establish trotting and pacing in South Africa, but you must start somewhere and they're making that start now in South Africa.

Dean Hoffman, one of North America's most prolific harness racing journalists and member of the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame, offers SC website readers his weekly look at international standardbred racing through his eyes.