Three stud grooms die in road collision on return from Johannesburg sale

There was a tragic postscript to last week's Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale in Johannesburg as it emerged that three grooms from Moutonshoek Stud died in a road accident on their way back from the auction on Sunday.

Karel Skirmaans, Andreas Swarts and Nico Ockhuis lost their lives when the Greyhound bus they were travelling on was in a head-on collision on the N1 route between Johannesburg and Worcester. Colleague Pieter Johnson was taken to hospital with a leg injury and Jerome Jakobs, Jaco Kito and Hendrik Saroon escaped unscathed according to a Facebook post by the farm's Romi Bettison.

“I cannot even begin to describe the hole I have in my heart,” Bettison wrote. “These men I can only describe as family. To Karel, Monkey [Andreas Swarts] and Nico: you were true horsemen, true gentlemen and carried hearts of gold. They were dedicated, passionate and faithful to their jobs.

“Karel was their voorman [foreman]. He looked after the team at Moutonshoek for 15 years. He is responsible for training almost every single groom on that farm. He is responsible for teaching me many things, I have irreplaceable knowledge that he has given me.”

Bettison continued to pay tribute to Swarts and Ockhuis.

“Monkey – or Ben 5, what a man. Small in size but huge in heart,” she wrote. “From looking after the foalings, to sparkling up the horses for the sales ring, he was a truly talented young man.

“Nico – with similar skills to Jaco – was only getting better and better with a horse. So gentle and patient and quick to learn. Always a smile on his face and a laugh that got everyone laughing with him.”

The Thoroughbred Breeders Association of South Africa paid its condolences to the grooms and highlighted that Skirmaans had represented Moutonshoek founder and co-owner Chris Gerber, who died aged 53 in November due to complications from malaria, when collecting a breeders' award at a ceremony last Tuesday.

The organisation said on social media: “This was his 25th National Yearling Sale. A dedicated stud man, knowledgeable and kind horseman and real gentleman. Our deepest condolences to all his family friends, he will be sorely missed.”

The accident has caused shock around the world, with Tara Stud in County Meath tweeting: “Our hearts go out to our great friends at Moutonshoek Stud. Even though we are a distance away, we are a family and the loss of your great colleagues affects us all.”

Moutonshoek Stud in the Western Cape of South Africa is home to stallions Admiral Kitten, Mambo In Seattle, Marchfield and The United States.

Among the best horses it has bred are Undercover Agent, a Captain Al colt who won the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville last year.