Andrew Fortune (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Andrew Fortune has been granted a jockeys license and is free to start race riding again.
However, in the NHA press release that made the announcement it was also stated there would be certain conditions attached, such as not being able to initially ride lighter than 58kg.
He was also issued with a massive R500,000 fine , half of which was suspended for five years, due to contraventions of rules 72.1.26 and 72.1.43 in relation to social media content which could be construed to have discredited horse racing, the NHA and its officials.
The NHA press release is published below:
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms that the Licensing Board met on 14 February 2025 to consider Mr Andrew Fortune’s application for a Jockey Licence and subsequently Mr Fortune appeared before the Licensing Board this morning in this regard.
At the meeting, Mr Fortune was informed of outstanding administrative requirements and disciplinary matters that had been identified by the Licensing Board. He subsequently provided documentation in support of his application and signed an Admission of Guilt concerning contraventions of Rules 72.1.26 and 72.1.43 in relation to social media content which could be construed to discredit horse racing, the NHA and its officials. A fine of R500 000 was imposed, of which R250 000 is suspended for a period of five years on condition that he is not found guilty of contravening rules pertaining to his conduct during this period.
Consequently, after careful consideration, the Licensing Board granted Mr Fortune a Jockey licence, with immediate effect, with certain conditions that were put in place. These conditions include that Mr Fortune be initially restricted to a minimum riding weight of 58kg, that he is restricted to riding in Southern Africa under the Rules of the NHA until 31 July 2026 and that his future professional conduct would be closely monitored.
Licensing Board
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa
Fortune has always been admired for his exceptional riding ability and before his famous comeback in 2008 he reportedly had about 20 Gr 1 wins.
However, he was said in his younger days to enjoy “the high life” and this saw him in hot water with the stipendiary stewards on a regular basis. This culminated in him being “banned indefinitely from race riding” in November 2002 after, not for the first time, failing to pitch up for a meeting. This particular meeting was at Scottsville and he had a full book of rides.
However, he was soon allowed to ride again, but was in and out of trouble, including testing positive for cocaine in 2004.
However, Fortune’s road to recovery began when he eventually admitted to the NHA that he had developed a drug addiction problem.
The brave path to true recovery then began.
He has been “clean” since 27 March, 2007.
Fortune became a symbol of hope and courage as the low moments in his life, and vivid descriptions of how low those moments were, became public knowledge.
He first won admiration for just making it back into the saddle in February 2008 and riding regular winners.
However, it turned into one of the all time great South African sporting fairytales, because the following season, despite being a heavyweight jockey who battled with his weight, not to mention being a recovering drug addict, he won the 2008/2009 South African jockeys championship.
Fortune was also much loved for his quick wit and sense of humour, a true entertainer.
He was also an inspiration to many others of all walks of life who required rehabilitation.
Those who find it insulting to Fortune that an article such as this one can refer to him as a recovering drug addict, he wants to be known precisely as that so he can serve as an inspiration to others who have fallen into a downward spiral and to serve as proof that recovery is possible.
He had a continual battle with his weight after becoming champion jockey and reportedly had knee problems too.
His last ride was on July 1, 2017.
He later became assistant to his wife Ashley when she took out her trainers licence and began training in early 2018. The couple had considerable success, including training Princess Calla to Gr 1 glory, before they packed it in in mid 2023 and took on a new role at a spelling facility in Australia.
Although Andrew’s life has swung full circle he does still have a tendency to attract controversy, or at least he did so while working as a “stable employee” for Ashley.
The below inquiry relates to some of the trouble he attracted during that period.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE INQUIRY
He is also outspoken and that can get him into trouble on occasion too.
The R500,000 fine he has been handed is said to relate to a letter he wrote to the Sporting Post in which he he admitted to certain shenanigans:
Fortune had his first interview after being granted his license with Joao De Mato.
He said in the interview the meeting he had with the NHA had been a very good one and he bore no grudges, in fact to the contrary he said he would have done the same had he been in their shoes.
“They done what they had to do,” he said.
He also spoke of making an audacious attempt to become champion jockey again despite being 57 years of age.
He also spoke of wanting to change his attitude and seems determined to stay out of trouble for the next chapter in his colourful life.
