Passing of A Veteran

Bill Prestage, a long time Cape trainer and owner, tragically passed away on the morning of 1 September 2021 at the age of 86.

Born one of 3 brothers, all of whom rode, Bill Prestage entered the world of racing during the peak of the Durbanville Gymkhana Club. He worked, at the start of his career, for trainers, Georgie Brown and CB de Meillon.

“In 1955 Durbanville became a professional club and that was the end of us at Durbanville,” he said in an interview in 2018.

Bill Prestage took over his father’s string after his death in 1978. At the time, he took an owner-trainer licence. In 1994, due to other commitments, he stopped training entirely, starting again only in 2001.

Despite later holding an open linence, allowing him to train for whoever he liked, Bill Prestage chose to train only on his own account. He could prep his horses and enjoyed feature success in 2017, despite only ever conditioning a small string.

“I wouldn’t say there’s been any highlight in particular.” He commented with characteristic diplomacy when asked. “But I’ve enjoyed it all.”

Despite having handed the reigns over to his son, Bill Prestage was working with his horses until he was hospitalised the weekend before his death. A kind and modest horseman, his dedicated contribution to the sport will be sorely missed.