Goodbye Dubai – Alistair Tells How It Happened
Dubai’s defeat is our win and it will be good to have South Africa’s hottest new generation real estate racer back in Turffontein’s Aerie for Saturday’s Day 3 of the Championships.
There’s no question that 2023 was a character-building year for the 32-year-old commentator, who is widely regarded as our number one caller and has been gaining in stature since Phumelela gave him a shot as a greenhorn some 14 years ago.
Successor to Australian Craig Evans, Alistair was appointed as the Emirates Racing Authority’s English speaking racer at all five UAE circuits at the start of the 2020-21 season, marking a career-defining opportunity and well-deserved international recognition.
Alistair Cohen – still doesn’t understand what happened – but he’s moved on (Image – Candies Lenferna)
Alistair, who was enjoying his second stint in the UAE and was widely recognized for his professionalism behind the binoculars, was shockingly dismissed at short notice by Dubai Racing Club for last Saturday’s Dubai World Cup race meeting and replaced by veteran US caller Larry Collmus .
chat with the Sporting contribution On Tuesday, the philosophical Durbanite took the lightning-out-of-the-blue knife in the back in his professional move but admits he had to appeal to the propriety of his entire impeccable upbringing and bit his lip and tongue first.
“After every race briefing, I analyze my personal performance. No one is ever too old or too smart to learn, and a commentator’s best tool is self-criticism and criticism from outsiders, and the acknowledgment that this or that could have been done better. Ironically, after the World Cup kick-off on Super Saturday, I was elated and genuinely excited that it was probably one of my best days on the phone ever. Everything matched. As it turns out, the decision to lock me in for World Cup day had already been made, so it had nothing to do with my performance at all,” he muses as he ponders something he may never know the truth about .
Just 24 hours after Super Saturday, Alistair learned from a source that the American caller would be taking the hot seat on World Cup day.
“I was told confidentially and it appears the decision was only known to a handful of people. I had not been informed prior to Super Saturday as I believe there were concerns that this may have affected my performance. I’ve found this week that the common people in the structures didn’t know – I mean for goodness sake I was involved in the planning of the lockdown ceremony like in 2022. The commentator can choose the co-moderator. It all happened – but somewhere, somehow, the rug was pulled out from under me.”
A disappointed Alistair who had left behind his life, his wife, his dogs, his home, his Sunday braai routine and a multitude of friends to build his international career and enjoy the honor and privilege that few have at Dubai World Cup He admits he was emotionally hurt.
He had literally worked his ass off to dive into his new job. To master tongue-twisting names and new silks and to showcase UAE on his extensive social media network to become part of a team. And then they gave him the middle finger.
Ali and Candice – happy to be back together and some great races ahead
“I resigned for my own pride and dignity. My contract was supposed to run until April 7th but they broke in the face of the World Cup turnaround and I asked them to kindly release me to go back to South Africa. I was very concerned about the collateral damage to my reputation. But with the support and communication I subsequently received from highly respected racers from so many corners of the world, much of my fear was allayed and the problem in my head put into perspective. Bottom line is that I personally did nothing wrong, I was never late or breached any aspect of my contractual requirements. And they haven’t said anything and they can’t tell me anything. In fact, when I wanted to say goodbye to everyone, they said they wanted me back next season! Imagine that!” he laughs bravely as his forehead reflects his confusion.
It was a good experience! (Image – Chase Liebenberg)
Despite the DRC’s fundamentally bizarre decision, Alistair insists it remains an experience of a lifetime and one he will cherish forever.
“It was sensational to receive the rare honor of being a caller at the Emirates for almost two full seasons. And the friends I’ve made are for life. I will not allow a decision made behind my back, without the courtesy of advice over which I had no control or understanding, to poison my life. It’s great to be back home with Candice and we look forward to the Champions Season on the East Coast and the Championships in the North over the next few months. I can barely wait for it!”
As for his own plans, Alistair says he would like to convene as many meetings as possible across the country and would like to share some of the technical skills he has learned with his colleagues here in relation to presenting on the course and other aspects of communication.
“Exhibiting internationally opens the mind. You learn without realizing it. It was great to be back with her team at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last Saturday. What great vibes and morale!”
As for the South African race going forward, Alistair says his dream and wish is to have one entity under a single roof.
“We shouldn’t compete internally. We should be united and take on the world. South Africa is not far behind Hong Kong, Australia and Japan. We’re right up there. Just because something goes wrong here and there doesn’t mean that the same problems don’t happen elsewhere in the world. This is a beautiful country with good horses, great breeders, top jockeys, reputable trainers and some of the finest racecourses. There really is no excuse to keep going!”