PRACTICES / Midlands, ZA
Baker McVeigh & Bechard — Midlands
In June 2026, Baker McVeigh joined forces with Dr Allen Bechard and Almiray Veterinary Practice to form Baker McVeigh & Bechard, Midlands.
Dr Bechard established Almiray Veterinary Practice on his farm in Nottingham Road in 2007, with the practice developing a strong focus on equine reproduction.
This exciting partnership brings together extensive expertise in equine reproduction and sports horse medicine, allowing us to offer a comprehensive service to clients across the Midlands.
Our reproductive services include fresh and frozen semen AI, embryo transfer and mare reproductive management, alongside experienced veterinary care for sport horses.
Meet Our Veterinarians
Dr John McVeigh
Partner in Summerveld, Cape Town, Newmarket, Yorkshire, Lambourn, Chantilly, Johannesburg and Midlands.
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Leading the Baker McVeigh group is the renowned John McVeigh, a prominent figure in international horse racing circles. For three and a half decades, John has played a significant role in the expansion and development of our Baker McVeigh practices, overseeing the business’s growth across six practices, over three continents.
John is based in Summerveld and continues to travel to our other practices, offering his assistance, expertise and knowledge.
Dr Manfred Rohwer
Partner in Summerveld, Johannesburg and Midlands.
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Manfred completed his veterinary degree at Onderstepoort in Pretoria, South Africa. In 1984, he was based in De Aar for his National Service as an army equestrian breeding veterinarian. After a two-year stint with Cliffie Meyer at Honeydew Vet Clinic, Manfred joined Baker & Du Preez in 1986. In 2008, he joined John McVeigh in Summerveld as a partner, bringing his wealth and depth of experience to the practice.
Dr Mark Dittberner
Partner in Summerveld, Johannesburg and Midlands
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Mark qualified from Onderstepoort in 2002 and went straight into equine practice in Johannesburg. After working there for four years, in 2007 he left to start his wildlife Masters. He worked in various National Parks around South Africa including Kruger, Marakele, Goegap, Tankwe, and Addo, where he was responsible for TB testing in buffalo, and the relocation of various animals. With his Masters completed, Mark returned to equine work in Johannesburg for a year before joining our Baker McVeigh team in Summerveld. He became a partner at the practice in March 2019 and is also on the SAEVA Racing Subcommittee.
Dr Patrick Martin
Partner in Summerveld, Johannesburg and Midlands
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Patrick graduated from Onderstepoort in 1999 and moved to the UK where he managed a successful Equine Sports Horse practice, until 2014. The lure of South Africa was too great so Patrick decided to return to his roots, where he joined our Baker McVeigh team in Summerveld, in 2015. He has brought his international experience to KwaZulu-Natal and still travels regularly, treating horses from all equine disciplines, both locally and internationally. Patrick became a partner at Baker McVeigh Summerveld in March 2019.
Dr Andrea Sumaraj
Partner in Summerveld, Johannesburg and Midlands
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Andrea has a keen interest in equine practice and brings a unique approach to equine veterinary care. She graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2016 and completed her compulsory community service a year later in Umzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal. Andrea specialised in clinical and regulatory services during her time in Umzimkhulu, dealing with large and small animals.
Dr Allen Bechard
Partner in Midlands
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Dr Allen Bechard graduated from Onderstepoort (OP) in 1985 before completing two years of national service with the South African Medical Services. From 1988 to 1989, he travelled across the United Kingdom, gaining valuable clinical experience working in a variety of veterinary practices.
He joined Mooi River Veterinary Clinic as an associate in 1990, and later established Almiray Veterinary Practice on his Nottingham Road farm in 2007. Specialising in equine reproduction, Allen brings extensive expertise in stud farm management, mare and foal health, embryo transfers, and artificial insemination using both fresh and frozen semen.
Dr Manfred Hanni
Partner in Summerveld, Johannesburg and Midlands.
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Manfred graduated from the University of Pretoria, in Onderstepoort, in 2003.
In 2006, he joined the Baker McVeigh group working in both our Cape Town and Durban practices. Manfred returned to Baker McVeigh in 2015. Here he worked on racehorses in the mornings and sport horses during the afternoons. Manfred’s area of interest is equine orthopaedics and lameness, specialising in the back, neck and pelvis.
Contact Us
Contact No: +27 (82) 841 3601
R103 Nottingham Road 3280, KZN, South Africa