Markus Jooste, the former leading owner forced out of racing after being at the center of South Africa’s largest corporate fraud in history, has died at the age of 63 in South Africa after sustaining a gunshot wound. Local media reports say it was self-inflicted.
Jooste owned horses and raced with trainer Aidan O’Brien in various countries. At one time had between 150 and 250 horses in training in South Africa, including some in partnerships. He was the country’s leading owner for 10 seasons until financial irregularities revolving around Steinhoff International came to light in 2017.
The former Steinhoff CEO was reportedly facing arrest a day after the country’s largest-ever fine was issued by the financial regulator. Jooste was fined R475 million (US$25,037,162) March 20 for publishing false financial statements between 2014 and 2017.
In a statement, Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said: “It is alleged that the victim sustained a gunshot wound at around (midafternoon) at Kwaaiwater (a coastal town south of Cape Town) and succumbed to death on his way to hospital.”
Traut added police were investigating the circumstances, but “no foul play is suspected.”
Jooste enjoyed success with the O’Brien-trained Douglas Macarthur , who won the 2017 Derby Trial Stakes (G3), and Rostropovich , winner of the 2017 Futurity Stakes (G2). In Britain, he co-owned Breedsbreeze, winner of the 2008 Feltham Novices’ Chase for Paul Nicholls, and the William Haggas-trained South Easter , who won the 2009 Dee Stakes (G3).
In 2018, three fillies trained by O’Brien and owned in part by Jooste went under the hammer at the Tattersalls February Sale and sold for a combined 1,550,000 guineas. They were Key To My Heart , a listed winning daughter of Galileo; Pocketfullofdreams , a half sister to Invincible Spirit ; and Smoulder, a close relative of One Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Legatissimo .
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