It is with great sadness that we relate the passing of racing patron Michael Javett on 17 November 2022.  He passed away at his home in Johannesburg at the age of 86. 

 An unfailingly loyal supporter of local racing and breeding for close to half a century, Mr Javett was associated with a number of champions during his life.  The mighty Archangel was an early stand out, but he will always be remembered for his association with the great Politician, which he raced in partnership with the Tenderinis.  Hand picked by Javett to test one of his breeding theories, Politician was famously procured for a bargain basement R5,250 from the Scott Bros at the 1975 National Yearling Sales.  In the hands of Syd Laird, the colt went on to win 18 races (11 of them at Gr1 level), including the 1978 Rothmans July and back to back victories in the Queen’s Plate and Metropolitan Stakes, retiring to stud with three South African Horse of the Year titles and arguably one of the greatest to grace the South African turf.

 More recent enjoyment came by way of stakes winners E-Jet, Montreal Mist, Marmara Sea, Storm Destiny, Purely Atomic and in particular, the champion filly Alboran Sea which he raced in partnership with Mary Slack.  The daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar was a 5-time winner from her 10 career starts, with her victories in the Allan Robertson, Cape Flying Championship and Computaform Sprint earning her Champion 3yo Filly status. 

 The last yearling he purchased in partnership with Mary Slack was Thunderstruck, a son of Rafeef, who won the 2022 Gr1 Gold Medallion, shortly before Mr Javett exited the industry for health reasons.

 In addition to his unwavering support to breeders and trainers, Mr Javett made an inestimable contribution in supporting the preservation and promotion of local racing, including the mentorship of dual SA Champion rider, S’manga Khumalo.  He preferred to add his support quietly and without acknowledgement, so the true extent of his support to the industry may never be fully known, but it can certainly never be overestimated.

 An intensely private person who eschewed media attention, opportunities to talk to him were few, but with his lively and determined intellect that did not shy away from veering off the status quo, these invariably proved fascinating.  

 He was a man of meticulous habits, always impeccably dressed and the most consummate of gentlemen.  His many interests outside of racing, including art and philanthropy, have been documented elsewhere, but in every respect he will be remembered as that rarest of life’s finds – a good man.