Grant Behr is elated after winning a Class 5 event (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Comeback jockey Grant Behr had only one ride at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today (Tuesday) and his prospects didn’t look bright from an onlookers perspective because the horse, the Shane Humby-trained Captain Of All mare Bonne Bouche, was coming off a six month layoff and was a 40/1 chance.
However, the five-year-old led from pillar to post in the Class 5 1100m event and it never really looked in doubt as she pinged the gates from the highest draw of all in the eleven horse field before showing fine natural pace and striding out superbly, winning by 0,40 lengths.
Behr took a two year sabbatical from the game to work on his mental strength and this was only his fourth meeting back and the seventh ride of his comeback.
It was clearly a relief to get back in the winner’s enclosure, because he punched the air after keeping the mare going in fine style to repel the dangerous looking challenge of 20/1 shot Hear My Voice.
The Social Squad own the 67 merit-rated Hemel ‘N Aaarde-bred mare, who was having the 24th start of her career and it was her third win.
Grant said after the race, ““I was quietly confident, believe it or not! Bonne Bouche was working well and I suggested to Mr Humby that I felt that she didn’t need the compression mask in my opinion. It’s good to break through early and thanks to the Social Squad Syndicate and Mr Humby for giving me the opportunity. I came back to racing for the love of horses – and this mare gave me all today.”
Explaining why he walked away from the game in May 2023, Grant said that his reasons were a combination of being stale and sour, and that he needed to spend some time focusing on the important things in life, like family and building a positive mindset.
A keen hobby gardener, Grant did volunteer work two days a week at the Babylonstoren Estate in Franschoek, where the renowned gardens are a tourist attraction.
“I cut out racing completely. I went back to basics and enjoyed my family and worked alongside the labour in the gardens. I met wonderful ordinary people and also experienced insight of the hierarchy of our society where so many people look down on others, just because they can. That may sound maverick, but it opened my mind as I had spent so many years not focused on myself, but trying to please people, some of whom didn’t really value or respect me.”
Grant said his wife Lanese and daughter Cassidy, who shares a birthday with all of our horses and turns 11 on Friday 1 August, were his backbone and supported his decision to opt out and press the refresh button.
“I am fortunate to have enjoyed my family’s support and I am feeling positive. Mr Humby is one of those trainers who listens to suggestions, and I am thrilled I could produce a winner for him. I am riding work at Milnerton three days a week and am getting fit. I started at 60kgs and I am now at 57 kgs. I want to get down to 56kgs, and race-riding promotes fitness at the same time.”
Asked whether he had felt rusty, Grant said that riding horses was much like riding a bicycle – just tougher, but not something one readily forgets to do.
“I took a while to get my co-ordination back, but I am getting there. I am looking forward to the new season and making a go of it,” he added.
Candice Bass-Robinson and Aldo Domeyer enjoyed a double together, a nice follow up on their stakes race double at the World Pool Gold Cup meeting on Sunday.
