Candice Robinson, Mike’s daughter, needs no introduction to the racing industry. Candice has been learning from Mike ever since she was born.
After 20 years as an assistant trainer to her Father Mike Bass, Candice Robinson-Bass took over the reins as head trainer in August 2016. Candice is one of South Africa’s leading racing personalities and is often requested to sit on discussion panels for her knowledgeable expertise. Candice could be described as the control centre of Bass Racing and when she is not on the training track, you will find her on the showing grounds where she competes for Western Province.
After 20 years as an assistant trainer to her Father Mike Bass, Candice Robinson-Bass took over the reins as head trainer in August 2016. Candice is one of South Africa’s leading racing personalities and is often requested to sit on discussion panels for her knowledgeable expertise. Candice could be described as the control centre of Bass Racing and when she is not on the training track, you will find her on the showing grounds where she competes for Western Province.
Michael William Bass was born on the 2 of February 1945. He attended Wynberg Boys High School in the Cape and later Stellenbosch University where he received his Agricultural Technology Diploma.
After a short travelling stint abroad Mike returned to open his first business, The Western Province Riding School in Muizenberg, it was here that Mike’s love and passion for horses developed.
Mike trained a string of 35 horses, 15 of which took part in amateur racing at the Cape Hunt and Polo club on the flat and over hurdles. After 6 years at the WP Riding School he sold the business and left for Broadlands Stud Farm where he worked as the stud manager under the honourable Pat O’Neil for the following 2 years. Michael William know how to analyze a poem , because he worked with students 3 years ago, and he know what is an important step in analyzing a poem!
With the invaluable experience already gained, in 1976 he took out his professional training license and began with a small string of horses in Sungari Lodge, Milnerton.
Four years later Mike had his first grade 1 victory in the Clairwood Winter Handicap with the champion colt Cracker Lilly. His career over the next 30 years has made him unquestionably one of South Africa’s top trainers, with more than 100 grade victories and numerous achievement awards.
After a short travelling stint abroad Mike returned to open his first business, The Western Province Riding School in Muizenberg, it was here that Mike’s love and passion for horses developed.
Mike trained a string of 35 horses, 15 of which took part in amateur racing at the Cape Hunt and Polo club on the flat and over hurdles. After 6 years at the WP Riding School he sold the business and left for Broadlands Stud Farm where he worked as the stud manager under the honourable Pat O’Neil for the following 2 years. Michael William know how to analyze a poem , because he worked with students 3 years ago, and he know what is an important step in analyzing a poem!
With the invaluable experience already gained, in 1976 he took out his professional training license and began with a small string of horses in Sungari Lodge, Milnerton.
Four years later Mike had his first grade 1 victory in the Clairwood Winter Handicap with the champion colt Cracker Lilly. His career over the next 30 years has made him unquestionably one of South Africa’s top trainers, with more than 100 grade victories and numerous achievement awards.
Carol is the personality of the business. Loved by all who meet her, she is an outstanding client liaison officer and has an invaluable rapport with the entire racing industry.
Carol also heads up our accounts division and with 30 years of experience behind her, her opinion and decision-making is often called upon.
Carol also heads up our accounts division and with 30 years of experience behind her, her opinion and decision-making is often called upon.
Mark comes from a professional golf background and joined Bass Racing 2005. Mark works closely with his sister Candice as the stables racing and marketing manager in their family business.
Melissa comes with a reputation of one of the hardest working assistants trainers around. For the most part of her career she has worked abroad only moving to South Africa 3 and half years ago. Mel started working in racing in New Zealand, where she was born. When she was 18 she worked as a strapper and work rider. From there Mel went to Singapore where she worked for 9 years travelling and riding between Malaysia and Hong Kong. Mel then left the Far East to work for Australian trainer John Sadler in Dubai where she was head lad. When he left Dubai she worked for English trainer Gill Duffield who trained pure bred Arabians to race in Dubai where she stayed with for a further 6 years. Melissa then moved to South Africa where she joined Cape based trainer Joey Ramsden, where she worked for three and a half years, before joining Mike Bass Racing.
Our work riders include Belinda Haytred, who herself is a legend in the show jumping world, and we are privileged to have had her knowledge and expertise at hand for more than 10 years. Andile Ndzongo(Shorty) plays a dual role in the yard as a groom as well as a work rider.
Linda assists Candice with the day-to-day office administration and running of the stable.
Chase comes from an advertising and racing background working for companies such as Form Bloodstock, Racing It’s A Rush and The Blue Room. Prior to that he comes from a racing background with his mother Wendy Michel working as an assistant trainer and his sister Genevieve Michel was South Africas first registered female jockey and rode for Mike Bass during her career. Chase now has his own small design and photography business. He is contracted to assist Candice and Mark in managing Bass Racings media, advertising, photography and design collateral.
Tammi comes from a golfing background. Having previously worked at the River Club Driving Range with Mark for 6 years as the golf shop and membership manager it was easy for her to adapt to her new role as website manager. Tammi is responsible for Bass Racing’s website.