We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mr Graham Beck who died in his London home late last night at the age of 80. Graham's wife Rhona, was at his bedside to the end according to Etienne Haines, marketing manager of Graham Beck Wines. Graham Beck will be long remembered as our greatest supporter of South African horse racing.

This affluent South African business man made huge strides in wine production and development, and together with Rhona, established the world class winery of Graham Beck Wines who have cellars in Robertson and Franschoek and four vineyards in the Western Cape. Among his many other successes were mining and exporting and more recently yacht building. However, to those close to him in the South African racing fraternity, he will be most remembered for his passion for horses.

He acquired his own stud farm in Kentucky under the name Gainesway Stable, and locally, the Highlands Stud Farm in Robertson which is currently run and managed by Mike Sharkey. Among his most recent successes in racing include the Champion July winning mare Dancers Daughter, and champion sprinters Over Arching and National Currency.

The Doyen of South African racing, as he is referred to, poured so much support into our racing industry and helped so many people along the way that he will have left a huge vacuum and a void that will be impossible to fill. Amongst the many fine attributes he will be remembered by, was his sharp and often dry sense of humour but mostly for the great deal of social and charity work from which he enriched so many people’s lives.

In this last week we had two winners for Mr Beck being Test Pilot in Natal and Scarlet Sky in the Cape, and on a personal note, we would like to mention that we are extremely honoured and grateful to have had the pleasure of his support throughout the many years. We had enormous respect for him on both a personal and business level, and we will miss him dearly. Our sincere condolences go out to his wife Rhona, son Anthony and family, Mike Sharkey and staff of Highlands Farm Stud.

He has left behind a legacy that will be remembered forever.

Mike Bass, and all at Mike Bass Racing