Corne Spies is a second generation racehorse trainer, having taken over from his accomplished father Tobie Spies in the year 2000.

Corne Spies successfully completed his National Diploma in Equine Studies at the now Tswane University of Technology.

As a multiple Group One winning Champion Racehorse Trainer & Owner, Corne Spies has saddled over 10 000 runners and boasts a winner at every licensed race track in Africa, south of the equator.

In addition to Corne’s successes on the race track, he is renowned for selection of young horses at thoroughbred horse sales for reasonable prices that perform at top level.

As the founder of the Spies Racing family and an accomplished Group 1 winning trainer in his own right, Tobie Spies brings invaluable old school experience and knowledge to the Spies Racing Team.

Tobie rode in his first amateur race, and won, for his father at the age of 7, igniting a lifelong passion and a dream to be part of this industry that we all love.

He was granted an Owner Trainer’s License in 1979 and the rest is history, with achievements such as winning the Queen’s Plate and 2 of the 4 Topsport Bloodline Million races ever held, to name but a few.

XANDER SPIES

As the 3rd generation of the Spies dynasty in South African horse racing, Xander Spies is carving out a name that echoes both tradition and innovation.

A dynamic and ambitious leader, Xander brings a rare blend of legal expertise and racing passion to the table, embodying the future of Spies Racing.

With multiple Group 1 victories as an owner under his belt, Xander’s track record speaks for itself—he’s a bright spark in the industry, committed to driving the stable’s success to new heights.

As the Chairman of the Racehorse Owners Association, Xander champions the interests of owners across the country while overseeing the stable’s legal and operational affairs.

Dr. Melandie Taljaard is an equine veterinarian, she is a licensed animal healthcare professional qualified to diagnose and treat horses in competition and production.

With passion for racing, she is an avid owner of thoroughbred horses and a registered colour holder with the National Horse-racing Authority of South Africa.

Duncan is an accomplished and experienced equine farrier.

Spies Racing has and can always count on Duncan to do a pristine job when taking care of our horse’s hoof related needs. 

Francois Naude needs no introduction as a Champion Apprentice and multiple Group One winning international jockey.

Fransie as he is affectionately known, comes a long way with the Spies Racing Team. Tobie Spies spotted the talented and dedicated apprentice jockey and used him as a jockey of preference over the years.

As a hard working Jockey, Fransie has come to know and understand the inner workings of the Spies Racing Team and it was only fate that he would join the Spies Racing Team when injury prematurely forced him to hang up his boots.

Fransie’s understanding of training and his

knowledge of race riding adds a competitive edge to the Spies Racing Team.

Johannes started off in racing as a young man with Tobie Spies at his Vaal based Training Yard in 1985.

As an experienced groom and licensed work rider, Johannes has developed numerous horses under his care into top performing equine athletes, most notably Yardmaster that won the Queen’s Plate in 1988 and Fast Gun that won the Topsport Bloodline Million in 1990, to name but a few.

Johannes has earned his managerial position in the Spies Racing Team with vast experience and his dedication and work ethic is second too none.