Popular jockey Grant Behr has quietly re-appeared on the Cape racing scene, following an absence of two years. He decided to take a break from racing in May 2023, and has taken six rides since his comeback at the end of June, 2025.
Behr (46), said he wanted to get away from racing for a while to work on his focus and mental strength, and that the spell on his self-imposed ‘vacation’ did him the world of good.
He said: “I relaxed, did some gardening, worked on clearing my mind and I’ve come back, I believe, positive and strong. I still have sealegs, but I’ve been riding as much work as I can for as many trainers as I can. I’m getting fitter and I’d like to get my weight down from 57kg to 56kg, at which I most comfortable and competitive. The opportunities will come to ride some better horses again.”
Behr started his career in 1993 and has ridden well over 500 winners, including a handful during a short spell in Mauritius, where he said the experience on the tight track proved to be very helpful back in South Africa.
He received his grounding from the late Peter Kannemeyer, who was often outspoken in his praise for Behr; then spent a long time the second stable jockey to Karl Neisius at Dean Kannemeyer’s yard. “Uncle Peter seldom gave instructions. He said a good jockey doesn’t need instructions. He only cautioned against racing wide, he hated that, and to this day I try not to race wide on any of my mounts.”
Most of Behr’s 15 Graded or Listed winners have been for the Kannemeyer team. He won the G2 Selangor Cup in 2004 on Mercury Chief, when they beat the more fancied stablemate, Rabiya. Also in 2004 he won the Gr3 Peninsula Handicap on Roman Charger. In 2015 he won the Listed Southeaster Sprint on Captain Alfredo for the same yard.
His career highlight was a surprise win for Kannemeyer in the 2019 Cape Guineas on Russian Rock. He said at the time: “Dean has been good to me. And I like his no-nonsense style. Like his Dad, he is a man who never blames the easiest target – the jockey. It gives one confidence.”
But Behr will be taking a wide approach to his riding this time. “I think I’ve been too modest over the years and being reserved doesn’t help much. I always turned away when friends and racing fans praised my riding, but I am a different man now. I am offering my skills to all, keen to ride winners and hoping to make a good contribution.”
