Debbie Hawkins, the Phumelela Manager for Racing Services, has recently accepted an offer to move to Singapore and take up a position with the Singapore Turf Club (STC).

In an interview with SAHorseracing.COM, she goes into detail about the appointment, her aspirations and her unique love for horseracing. We find a person in love with the sport, her job and a uniquely South African winner who accepts the challenge and isn't afraid to make things happen. Ms Hawkins is an asset to South Africa let alone South African racing and will no doubt leave a massive void in the ranks of Phumelela as we export yet another experienced talent in racing.

South African racing would love to see her return to her homeland one day to mentor young people and to pass on some of her experiences. Racing so desperately needs people of her character and sadly in this country we only miss our human assets only once they leave.

In the meantime, she is Singapore's gain and typical of the professional outfit that the Singapore Turf Club is, they always pick the winners.

We wish you well in Singapore, Debbie!

THE DEBBIE HAWKINS INTERVIEW

Q: What is your background in the game?

A: My mom came from a racing family being related to Willie Kleb who trained the great 'William Penn'. My dad worked on a part time basis for a bookmaker which enabled my sister and I to go to a private school and later on university. I loved racing from a young age, filling in the jockeys in the racecard on a Saturday morning for my grandfather. I also helped out after big meetings such as the July and the Met with checking accounts etc. I started working for a bookmaker in Pretoria Tattersalls in 1974 when I finished school and have remained in the industry ever since.

Q: Why did you pick a career in horseracing?

A: Although I completed my degree in Psychology and Criminology (the latter I also obtained an Honours Degree) I was passionate about the industry. When I met Graeme in 1986 I moved to Alberton and with his involvement, it was inevitable that my future would remain in racing and this has evolved over the years.

Q: If you had a 22 year old wanting to get involved in the sport, how would you sell it to him/her?

A: You need to sell them the passion of the industry. It needs to be sold as a sport and not as a business. The power of the horse and the ability and talent of rider and trainer needs to be the focus of this. An added plus for the industry is the social side of racing which sadly has diminished over the years. As far as owning a racehorse is concerned, the pure adrenalin rush of having your horse cross the line in first place be it in a maiden or a feature event, is something indescribable and if you could get anyone to experience this in however small a fashion, I do believe they will be hooked for life.

Q: By the way, is racing a sport or gmabling in your view?

A: I believe it is both depending on the nature of the person looking at it. Although it is a sport in my eyes, it has never been recognised as such in SA whereas in other countries, particularly in the UK, it is viewed as a sport and the crowds that attend the races there are testimony to this. Most of them go to see the animal particularly when there is a 'star'. Watching Kauto Star win the other day and seeing the passion of the people made me realise just how desperately we need a shining star in our industry. I do believe that currently the closest we come to this is 'Pocket Power'. However the industry would not survive without the gambling side so it needs in certain aspects to be looked upon as a 'gaming industry'.

Q: Do you think SA racing has a positive future or is it a dying sport?

A: We need to approach the future with a positive attitude. From a spectator point of view, very sadly it is dying and I know that everything is being done to attract people to attend the regular meetings and not only the major events. Obviously with the focus moving to include international racing, this has detracted somewhat from the local racing but the valuable income obtained from the international racing has contributed to sustaining the industry during the difficult months we have just experienced. The success of the sales during the last year, particularly taking into account the economic downturn, showed that the faith in the industry is still there and we need to build on this. The success of our trainers internationally has assisted our sales and brought a number of international owners and hopefully these numbers will grow going forward and rejuvenate the industry.

Q: Tell us how you received the Singapore Turf Club job offer?

A: I was approached by STC in February with the possibility of a job offer and then with the company being restructured, all new positions were put on hold. I was then contacted in October and offered the position of Senior Manager Horseownership and flown over for an interview and I was fortunate enough to be accepted for the position.

Q: What will you be doing for the STC?

A: Although Singapore has many international owners, they do have a large contingent of local owners and it is the feeling of the management of STC that these owners have been left on their own for too long and that they needed someone to take care of them both from a racing and hospitality side. My responsibility will be to liaise with owners, both local and international, re all their racing requirements and take care of them on racedays. The position is similar to the one I held when first joining the Racing Assocation as Members Relations Officer. Having chatted to some of the owners during my brief visit, they felt that although there were the normal staff taking bookings etc, there was never anyone who they could chat to who had experience in the industry. I have in fact already received communication from one of their bigger local owners saying how delighted they all are to have me joining the STC as they now will have, in his own words, 'someone to talk to who understands the industry'.

Q: Have you been to Singapore and if so, how do you find their racing compared to SA?

A: I was flown over for the interview and spent two days there and attended a Friday night meeting at Kranji. The one noticeable aspect was that although it was just an ordinary meeting, there were approx 10 000 people on course which was amazing. The facilities are superb but despite this they are about to undergo a major refurbishment programme. The racing is very organised and jockeys and trainers adhere strictly to the conditions laid down by the Turf Club. Betting is very similar with the one exception that they have no exotics ie. Place Accumulator, Jackpot, Pick 6. All bets are on the current race. Experience has shown that the population in Singapore are not interested in investing their money on a race to be run later but would rather know their fate race by race. There is a $3 charge to enter the course as well as a $5 parking fee. An additional fee is levied for venues in the grandstands. The transport system in Singapore enables people to get to the track easily - the MRT (train system) has a station right at the entrance to Kranji Racecourse. The training of horses is carefully monitored and all training work is noted in the racecard.

Q: If you had a magic wand with one wish to assist your old portfolio at Phumelela, what would you wish to change?

A: I would love to see a change in attitude of trainers and jockeys in that they should be accepting of the policies and decisions made by operators and not feel that they have the right to change what they wish, mostly for their own benefit. In addition co-operation between all departments with a mutual respect for everyone would go a long way in improving the morale of all and in this way promote the industry which is so special to all of us.

Q: Do you feel that the youth are adequately catered for by horseracing?

A: The requirements of the youth are considerably different to when I grew up and I sadly don't believe that racing falls into their category of entertainment. While huge numbers of young people attend meetings such as the July and the Met, they go for the party more than for the racing. I am sincerely hoping that with the advent of nightracing at Turffontein, the youth will be attracted back to racing and that it will be seen as an evening out for dinner with the racing providing the entertainment.

Q: Will you come back to SA or are planning to stay in Singapore for the long haul?

A: .I am currently on a three year contract which I am hoping will be extended to six. I do hope to visit annually but will take each year as it comes. If only we could predict the future I would be able to give you a definite answer but at the end of the day, South Africa is my home which I love dearly and if I do return, I hope that I would be able to give back the industry the experience I have attained abroad.

Q: What advice would you give to your successor at Phumelela, given the experience you have gained over so many years?

A: Communication!!!! This is something severely lacking in the industry and I can only hope that my successor continues to communicate with the various stake holders in the industry. I made this my focus when moving of as Manager of Racing Services and I do believe that this has been very well received. Always adhere to the criteria set eg when allocating stables. Keep up to date records for all you do - it will always be needed at a later stage.

Q: Singapore is a new challenge and environment change, where will you be staying and have they provided you with transport etc?

A: I will be staying in an apartment and currently have an agent looking for something suitable. On arrival I will be in a hotel for 2 weeks in which time I hope to have my accommodation sorted out. I will be using the wonderful public transport available be it bus, train or taxi. Owning a car in Singapore is extremely expensive and if I can avoid this for as long as possible I will be more than happy to do this.

Q: Finally, enjoy your stay at the STC and we, SAHorseracing.COM and the broader racing community, hope that you return with loads of memories and experiences to one day pass onto some lucky South African's working under you in SA.

A: I would like to thank not only SA Horseracing. com but everyone for the wonderful support I have been offered since announcing my pending move. I am looking forward to this challenge and new life but as I mentioned earlier, this is my home and the friends and family will always remain a huge part of me. I do hope that everyone will stay in touch and if I can be of assistance during travels to Singapore or even writing the odd article for SA Horseracing, I would be more than willing to do this. (Ed: We will hold you to that, Debbie)

Thank you once again to everyone - it is sincerely appreciated.