The two greatest South African jockeys of all time? Piere Strydom after riding See It Again to victory in the Grade 1 SplashOut Cape Derby for hall of fame jockey now trainer Michael Roberts (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Striker’s Retirement Stretches Further Away

Piere Strydom said last year upon announcing he would retire when reaching 5500 winners that he did not want to have to experience the retirement rumours that have consistently been associated with Franke Dettori since about 2012.

However, he is now discovering how difficult it is for a top jockey to depart.

He said, “Obviously it would be crazy to retire when you are associated with a top horse.”

He credits the International Racing Club’s Joao De Mata for initially extending his career by asking him to become the regular rider for the Gareth van Zyl-trained Money Heist.

However, since then he has won the Grade 2 Ridgemont Highlands Peninsula Handicap on the Justin Snaith-trained Nexus, the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas on the Joe Soma-trained Lady Of Power and the Grade 1 SplashOut Cape Derby on the Michael Roberts-trained See It Again.

Lady Of Power has moved to the Mike Azzie yard but Piere is still aboard for Saturday’s Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.

He said she had always struck him as a horse who would enjoy 1800m, although she has drawn widest of all in the 12 horse field.

He is also still aboard Money Heist for the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic and at last this Gimmethegreenlight colt has landed a good draw of four.

He said it was very refreshing that the connections had retained faith in him after the colt had run unplaced in three starts from terrible draws, which had made his task very tough. Money Heist’s finishing effort from last in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas to run a 6,90 length sixth was eyecatching. He runs as if he will get the 1800m trip, but his Lecture dam was a sprinter and the female line is generally speedy, so there is some doubt.

Piere said somebody had told him recently he had scored 97 Grade 1 wins, so Saturday’s Cape Derby victory would in that case make it 98.

If the number could be confirmed there could be a new incentive to stay on to achieve 100 Grade 1 victories!

Piere was grateful to the Snaiths for immediately alerting the connections of See It Again about his availability after the scratching of his original mount Itsrainingwilliam.

He said Charles Dickens was always going to be suspect over the trip, which had given the rest of the field a chance.

He said Muis had told him See It Again was an easy ride, but that he took time to wind up and tended to hit a flat spot.

Muis had added the main problem was in the starting stalls.

Piere said, “He does not go mad, but tends to take a backward step once he is in, so it’s difficult to jump well. Muis told me not to panic if he was near the back after the start. He told me to almost ride him for a place, meaning I should ride him with confidence and if good enough he would get there and there was no need to chase him and send him for home too early.”

See It Again duly took a backward step in the stalls.

Piere said, “He didn’t jump great. I was hoping to be in front of Charles Dickens, because if it was a slow run I was not going to outsprint him in the straight.”

However, it worked out well and Piere explained, “I had him in my sights and obviously he was the right horse to track in the straight.”

Piere said it was only in the last 100m he realised he could win.

He did not try and go with Charles Dickens when the latter kicked, because he had to ride his mount according to his capabilities. He said chasing at that stage would mean a likelihood of the horse not getting home.

He also did not know how much Charles Dickens still had in the tank.

When See It Again subsequently produced a good kick he thought he could run second.

However, when he saw Charles Dickens beginning to hang in in the last 1000m he realised he could win.

He said, “He won full of running and it is a lekker feeling when that happens in a Grade 1.”

He said he had been disappointed on the day with Al Muthana, whom he had ridden previously in the WSB Met.

Al Muthana ran in the LIsted Jet Master Stakes over 1600m and Piere said, “He was well handicapped and I thought he would win.”

However, the Deep Field gelding ran a bit of a flat race, staying on at one pace for fourth after being well placed from draw two.

However, he did have to carry 62kg and he gave the winner Pacaya, who beat him by 2,85 lengths, a whopping 11kg.

Piere said he had got absolutely no run in the straight on Al Muthana in the Met and he had made up some ground without ever moving on him. He said it was therefore difficult to know whether he stayed 2000m or not or whether he would stay the Hollywoodbets Durban July 2200m trip.

His presence in the July might dictate whether Piere is able to ride See It Again or not.

As things stand See It Again will have to carry 53,5kg if Al Muthana runs, but if he doesn’t run he will carry 57kg.

Piere at this stage of his career would obviously prefer to ride a July horse carrying 57kg and might not be able to make 53.5kg anyway.

Blonde Act makes it five out of five for Fourie and Greeff on the Fairview poly today. The former Highveld-trained gelding by Act Of War is now unbeaten in three starts on the poly. (via youtube).

Fourie And Greeff On Fire At Fairview

Richard Fourie won the first five races at the Fairview poly meeting today, all on Allan Greeff-trained horses.

The first race illustrated once again the strength of Cape Town maiden form. Fourie’s mount, Caitlyn’s Boy (Pomodoro), had managed one place in seven starts in Cape Town, but after he had got him handy from a good draw in the 1200m contest he ran away with it to win by 6,25 lengths as the 5/2 favourite.

In the second race over 1900m Fourie jumped well on the hard-knocking Douglas Devastator (Mambo In Seattle) and from a handy position he got involved in a hard fought tussle in the straight. Fourie extracted extra to get up by 0,25 lengths on the 11/20 shot.

With the maidens out the way the handicaps began and Fourie was on the 3/1 favourite Golightly (Gimmethegreenlight) in the next over 1900m.The mare was not well away but travelled well and made up ground steadily from midfield. She ran on well in the straight and prevailed by a quarter of a length.

Fourie was aboard Royal Mo gelding Matsuyamo in the next over 1900m and from a wide draw took the 9/2 shot into a one out and one back position. Fourie stole a march on this one after getting him handy. He entered the straight a couple of lengths clear and stayed on resolutely to win by 1,25 lengths.

In the fifth race over 1600m Fourie was on the 16/10 shot Blonde Act (Act Of War), a four-year-old gelding who was coming off a hattrick. He had him more handy than normal from a wide draw and having sat on the flank of the pacemaker he shot clear in the straight and won by 1,50 lengths to record his sixth career victory.

Fourie and Greeff finished third, seventh and second together in the final three races.

Fourie is now on 124 wins for the season at a strike rate of 20.33% and is 57 wins behind the national log leader Keagan de Melo.

Greeff is on 65 winners at 12.24% and is 15 wins behind his perennial rival Gavin Smith in the race for the East Cape title.

Lunga Gila in the parade ring with Wayne Agrella before his first race as a trainer. (via youtube).

Lunga Gila Makes A Winning Debut

New East Cape-based trainer Lunga Gila had his first runners as a trainer today after a trying time in which he initially opened a yard on the Highveld but had to return to the East Cape after an issue with an owner.

He ran second in his first official race, a maiden over 1200m on the Fairview poly with Futura gelding Settle The Dust ridden by Wayne Agrella. The gelding had previously been unplaced in four outings in Cape Town.

In the last race of the day, a fillies and mares handicap over 1300m, Lunga saddled the Willow Magic mare Vizhoe’s Magic and she was backed in from 25/2 to 5/1.

Ryan Munger extracted a storming finish from last place from the long-striding mare and got up on the head bob much to the excitement of everybody on course. The moment was not lost on them.

Lunga has had plenty of experience as an assistant trainer, including for Mitch Wiese and Glen Kotzen before running the East Cape satellite yard of Kumaran Naidoo.

Ryan Munger vouched for Lunga’s skill as a trainer in the winning interview and said the mare had been produced in fine condition.

Lunga thanked his fellow trainers for their support after the terrible couple of months he had to endure after the Highveld rumpus.

He also thanked his owners and thanked industry people in general from all corners of South Africa who had shown their support and belief in him

The owner of the former Naidoo-trained KZN horse Vizhoe’s Magic is Miss S Bhana and she also owns the former Glen Kotzen-trained horse Settle The Dust.

Lunga confirmed it was a “big day” for him.

He should go from strength to strength.

See It Again in the pull up area after winning the Grade 1 SplashOut Cape Derby on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth (Wayne Marks).

Handicappers’ Ratings Update – See It Again Gets 124

SplashOut Cape Derby (Grade 1)

SEE IT AGAIN has had his merit rating raised from 104 to 124 following his triumph in the Grade 1 SplashOut Cape Derby over 2000m on the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 25 February. The Handicappers took the view that 4^th placed AT MY COMMAND made for the most suitable line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 114.

3^rd placed WITHOUT QUESTION goes up from 99 to 119, while there were also increases for ROCKPOOL, who is up from 101 to 109 and for GRINKOV, who was raised from 102 to 105.

There were no ratings drops for any runner in this race.

Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes (Grade 2)

BEREAVE has had his rating raised from 107 to 120 after winning the Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was 3^rd placed TRIP OF FORTUNE who was considered to make for the best line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a rating of 119.

Aside from the winner, the only other increase was for 5^th placed COUNTDOWN, who was raised from 102 to 109 to at least make him the equal of his fellow three-year-old WE’RE JAMMING, who finished behind him at level weights in 7^th place and who remains on a mark of 107.

There were ratings drops for four horses. SILVER OPERATOR is down from 119 to 117, CARTEL CAPTAIN drops to 107 from 110, FIREALLEY was trimmed from 110 to 109, and lastly COSMIC HIGHWAY is down from 116 to 113.

SplashOut Prix Du Cap (Grade 3)

LIVE MY LIFE has had her rating increased from 103 to 114 after she captured the Grade 3 SplashOut Prix Du Cap for fillies and mares over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was 3^rd finisher GIMME’S LASSIE who was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse, which leaves her unaltered on a mark of 107.

There were also increases for 4^th placed GIMME DAT, who is up from 105 to 107, and for 5th placed GOING UP, who was raised from 104 to 105.

There were no ratings drops for any runner in this race.

Schweppes Cape Oaks (Listed)

SAARTJIE has had his rating raised from 84 to 105 after she won the Listed Schweppes Cape Oaks for three-year-old fillies over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the opinion that 4^th placed GOLD POKER GAME made for the best line horse here, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 102.

3^rd placed BROADWAY GIRL was raised from 87 to 103, SILVERLINKS was raised from 94 to 97. ALPHABETTY, who produced a performance figure of 95, was only picked up from 73 to 84 to at least make her the equal of the 84-rated LADY SILVANO.

The only drop was for runner-up HOLD MY HAND, who goes from 108 to 104 to make her one pound lower than the winner.

Gordon’s Gin Jet Master Stakes (Listed)

PACAYA has had his rating increased from 98 to 104 following his success in the Listed Gordon’s Gin Jet Master Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was 3^rd placed ZAPATILLAS who was used as the line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 122.

Runner-up QUASIFORSURE was raised from 98 to 104, while HAN SOLO goes up from 100 to 104. The only other increase was for 6^th placed SILVANO’S DASHER, who goes up from 106 to 110 to at least make him one pound higher than the 109-rated 7^th finisher SILVANO’S TIMER.

There were drops for four horses. CAT DADDY is down from 104 to 103, WARRIOR drops from 117 to 115, HOEDSPRUIT drops from 114 to 112, and lastly ROCKIN’ RINGO is down to 107 from 108.

Acacia Stakes (Grade 3)

CLAFOUTIS has had her rating raised from 94 to 96 after winning the Grade 3 Acacia Stakes for fillies and mares over 1600m on the standside track at Turffontein on Sunday 26 February. The Handicappers were of the unanimous opinion that 4^th placed TERRA TIME made for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 101.

The specific conditions of this race do not permit an increase in the rating of any horse beyond the winner, and as such runner-up QUEEN OF SHADOWS and 3^rd placed Hollywoodbound remain unchanged on ratings of 91 and 100 respectively, despite running to marks of 95 and 102, respectively. It is worth noting that QUEEN OF SHADOWS had run to marks of 96 and 95 in her last two starts, but both of those were placed efforts in Pinnacle events and accordingly her rating could not be raised on either occasion.

Four horses were given a drop. SUPREME QUEST, who had been dropped from 100 to 96 after the weights for this event were published, was given a further small drop and is now on a mark of 95. BOLD FORTUNE is down from 98 to 95, RAIN IN HOLLAND drops from 114 to 111, and lastly ULULATE goes from 91 to 88.

Lady’s Pendant (Listed)

RED BERRY has had her rating raised from 87 to 96 after landing the Listed Lady’s Pendant for fillies and mares over 1200m on the Fairview turf course on Friday 24 February. It was 4^th placed SOUND CHECK who was deemed to make for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 84.

Aside from the winner, the only other increase was for EUROPEAN SUMMER, who goes up from 78 to 81.

There were ratings drops for two horses. FRANCA is down from 102 to 99, while SACRED LOTUS drops slightly from 83 to 82.

Ibhayi Stakes (Listed)

KHAYA’S HOPE remains unaltered on a mark of 107 after capturing the Listed Ibhayi Stakes for three-year-olds over 1400m on the Fairview grass on Friday. Here it was 4^th placed SAND BANK who was used as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 88. In assessing the race this way KHAYA’S HOPE only runs to a rating of 101, hence his unchanged mark.

Runner-up BLACKBERRY MALT was raised from 86 to 96, while 3^rd finisher ZATARA MAGIC was picked up from 85 to 91.

The only drop was for ACORN, who is down from 83 to 81.

WSB Gauteng Guineas one-two Eyeoftheprophet (left) and Royal Victory renew rivalry in Saturday’s Grade 1 WSB SA Classic at Turffontein Standside.

Classic Day to live up to its name at Turffontein

World-class horseracing and entertainment on a fantastic day at the races as Triple Series heats up

4Racing Press Release

It’s Classic Day at Turffontein this Saturday 4 March and all eyes will be on a veteran seven-time South African champion jockey who is rolling back the years and a young apprentice making her own mark on the sport of horseracing, on what is set to be an exciting second round of ‘The Championships’ season.

Classic Day marks the second leg of the World Sports Betting Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara series for three-year-olds, and there will be a whopping R1 500 000 stake on offer for the Grade 1 World Sports Betting SA Classic and R1 250 000 stake for the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, both to be run over 1800 metres at Turffontein this weekend.

Champion apprentice Rachel Venniker was sensational in brilliantly winning the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Gauteng Guineas on Eye of the Prophet in the first leg of the World Sports Betting Triple Crown, holding off S’manga Khumalo in a thriller, and she will now be looking for her first Grade 1 win as she again gets the ride from trainer Paul Matchett this weekend.

The Triple Series is regarded as racing’s ‘ultimate test’ and should Venniker again lead Eye of the Prophet home, the connections will stay in the hunt for the R2 million bonus for the winners of all three legs of the WSB Triple Crown.

Other exciting runners announced in the final fields today to compete in the WSB SA Classic include Shoemaker, East Coast, Billy Bowlegs, Royal Victory and Anfield’s Rocket.

Legendary 56-year-year old jockey Piere ‘Striker’ Strydom was equally imperious in winning the SA Fillies Guineas with Lady of Power in the first leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara and he will be seeing if he can repeat his heroics on the flying filly this weekend in the second leg.

Strydom comes into Classic Day in fine form, having won the Grade 1 Splashout Cape Derby at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this weekend on See It Again, so he will be buzzing as he looks to win the second leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara with Lady of Power to stay in contention for the R1 million bonus for the winners of all three legs of the Triple Tiara.

Other strong fillies who were announced in the SA Fillies Classic final fields today to take on Lady of Power include Emirate Gina, Feather Boa, Bonete and None Other.

Entrance is absolutely free for punters and those looking to enjoy a day at the races at Turffontein on Classic Day, which has much to offer all those involved in horse racing, with good stakes for owners and trainers and plenty of incentives for the talented jockeys and hardworking grooms who will be responsible for the racing spectacle.

Hospitality packages are also available and if you can’t make it to the course you can follow the action live on Racing 240 on DStv Channel 240 or you can take a bet in-store or online with TAB at www.tab4racing.com.

“We expect Classic Day to live up to its name and to be one for the books! The World Sports Betting Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara Series adds a unique and exciting dimension to the season and we are looking forward to some exhilarating racing as we see if Eye of the Prophet and Lady of Power can try and stay in the hunt for the Triple Series bonuses. I encourage racegoers, punters, and fun-lovers to head to Turffontein Racecourse this weekend to experience this fantastic Classic Day live,” said Fundi Sithebe, Chief Executive Officer of 4Racing.

FINAL FIELDS FOR THE R1 500 000 WORLD SPORTS BETTING GRADE 1 SA CLASSIC:


1	12	Shoemaker	60	114	A	Richard Fourie	Mike de Kock
2	7	Eye Of The Prophet	60	113	BA	#Rachel Venniker	Paul Matchett
3	1	East Coast	60	112	A	Keagan de Melo	Mike de Kock
4	5	Royal Victory	60	112	BA	S’manga Khumalo	Nathan Kotzen
5	4	Money Heist	60	108	BA	Piere Strydom	Gareth van Zyl
6	2	Anfields Rocket	60	107	A	Raymond Danielson	Grant Maroun
7	14	Billy Bowlegs	60	106	A	Denis Schwarz	Alec Laird
8	11	Electric Gold	60	106	A	Kabelo Matsunyane	Sean Tarry
9	13	Laguna Verde	60	106	BA	Craig Zackey	Lucky Houdalakis
10	10	Argo Alley	60	105	A	Nathan Klink	St John Gray
11	16	Jimmy Don	60	105	A	Gavin Lerena	Erico Verdonese
12	6	Le Morne	60	105	A	Luyolo Mxothwa	Brett Crawford
13	8	Rule By Force	60	102	T A	Juan Paul v’d Merwe	Joe Soma
14	15	Star Coin	60	98	BA	*Kaidan Brewer	Alec Laird
15	9	Total Protection	60	96	A	Ryan Munger	Ashley Fortune
16	3	Captainofthegreen	60	81	A	Athandiwe Mgudlwa	Gareth van Zyl

FINAL FIELDS FOR THE WILGERBOSDRIFT R1 250 000 GRADE 1 SA FILLIES CLASSIC:

1	12	Lady Of Power	60	109	T A	Piere Strydom	M G Azzie/A A Azzie
2	4	Feather Boa	60	108	A	Richard Fourie	Stuart Pettigrew
3	8	Reny	60	106	A	Kabelo Matsunyane	Brett Crawford
4	6	Emirate Gina	60	105	A	Raymond Danielson	Roy Magner
5	1	Bless My Stars	60	103	A	S’manga Khumalo	Sean Tarry
6	5	None Other	60	101	A	Keagan de Melo	Lucky Houdalakis
7	3	Orarari Gold	60	101	A	Diego De Gouveia	Corrie Lensley
8	9	Bonete	60	97	A	Juan Paul v’d Merwe	Mike de Kock
9	10	Silver Hills	60	93	A	Gavin Lerena	Sean Tarry
10	2	Gimmealight	60	87	BA	#Rachel Venniker	Paul Matchett
11	11	Pomozelous	60	83	T A	Craig Zackey	Joe Soma
12	7	Mighty Goddess	60	78	BA	Denis Schwarz	Billy Ruiters

SA Classic Day race day schedule on 4 March 2023 at Turffontein Racecourse are as follows:

11h40 Race 1: 4Racing Welcomes You Middle Stakes (1000m)

12h10 Race 2: Racing240 For Racing For You Maiden Juvenile Plate (1160m)

12h45 Race 3: Racehorse Owners Association Maiden Juvenile Plate (1160m)

13h20 Race 4: 4Racing TV Maiden Plate (F&M) (1160m)

13h55 Race 5: Hawaii Stakes (Grade 2 Open) (1400m)

14h30 Race 6: Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic Grade 1 (1800m)

15h05 Race 7: World Sports Betting SA Classic Grade 1 (1800m)

15h45 Race 8: Drum Star Handicap (Listed Open) (1800m)

16h20 Race 9: TAB Telebet 0861 000 822 MR 76 Handicap (Open) (1160m)

16h55 Race 10: Next Turffontein RaceMeeting Saturday 11 March Maiden Plate (1600m)

ENDS

For any media inquiries contact Jermaine Craig at 0832010121 /

Nico de Boinville and Constitution Hill stretch clear at the end of their workout (RacingTv).

Constitution Hill Sparkles In Kempton Spin

Champion Hurdle favourite had Tuesday (28 February) racecourse gallop.

attheraces.com

Constitution Hill was the star attraction as Nicky Henderson put several of his Cheltenham Festival contenders through their paces in a racecourse gallop at Kempton.

A trip to the Sunbury venue has become an annual event for the master of Seven Barrows as a means of putting the finishing touches to his big guns ahead of the the showpiece meeting in the Cotswolds.

The biggest gun of all bound for Prestbury Park in a fortnight’s time is Constitution Hill, who won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle by a staggering 22 lengths at last year’s Festival and will return as a red-hot favourite to provide his trainer with a ninth Champion Hurdle success.

Ridden by Nico de Boinville, the six-year-old was joined by stablemates Captain Morgs (Paul O’Brien) and Ahorsewithnoname (Daryl Jacob) on Tuesday morning and while Henderson admitted it is not easy to find work partners for his pre-eminent star, he was delighted with what he saw.

He said: “It all went to plan. It was difficult to do because, as I’ve been saying all week, I’ve been hunting the country for a miler that I was going to get to jump in halfway round the back straight!

“To be fair, the other two boys have done a great job there, because they’ve just done their own thing and Nico has done his own thing. It was two bits of work happening at once and they did a good job as they just minded themselves.

“I wouldn’t bother writing something titled ‘A day in the life of Constitution Hill’ as it’s about the most boring thing you could write! That’s except for days like this of course, when he comes and does what he loves doing.

“I haven’t had one who’s given you the problem of how to work him. We always used to put Sprinter Sacre and Simonsig together because when you’ve got two really good horses like that, if you do put them together you’ve got to have two seriously good riders.

“Constitution Hill is fit and he’ll have another piece of work at home, but it’s quite difficult at the moment without the grass. Good old Barney (Clifford, clerk of the course at Kempton) let’s us come along and do that and I love doing it.”

Constitution Hill carries the colours of owner Michael Buckley, who was on hand to see his pride and joy.

He said: “I’m looking forward to it and it’ll be fun, I hope the horse puts on a good show. As we stand here today, he’s potentially the best horse I’ve ever had and perhaps he already is. He’s got to do it on the big day though.

“My nerves are chattering away and have been for weeks! When you get horses that are odds-on like that, the expectation is that he’s already won the race.

“I feel that it’s a rather sad fact of life that if he only wins by a length or two, everyone is going to feel a sense of disappointment. I’ll be thrilled of course, but he’s done a lot of showy things and I guess people are hoping for a show.

“We need two bits of luck, we need to get there in good shape and then we need Nico to have a bit of luck in-running and get him round without any issues and then hopefully we’ll win.”

Jeff Lloyd at the July Gallops in 2018 (Picture: Candiese Lenferna).

Jeff Lloyd – Reflections On Remarkable Career Ten Years After His Lowest Point

Ten years ago South African racing folk reeled in shock upon hearing Jeff Lloyd had suffered a stroke while still riding actively in Australia, but nobody could have envisaged what came next even considering his great achievements up until then.

The below article looks at his career in three parts, starting from his reflections in the 2005/2006 season after reaching 4000 winners, then the details of the stroke and the amazing comeback, and lastly his final attempt to break a July hoodoo plus his career from then until his official retirement.

Part i): 4000 CAREER WINNERS

Eclipsing 4,000 winners in a riding career is a mark of excellence not achieved by many. Jeff Lloyd surpassed that mark in the 2005/2006 season and was asked at the time about his beginnings and career to date and his new goals.

He began, “I was born in 1961 in Edmonton, a small town in London England and later my family moved to Epping. I remember walking to the betting shops and watching racing on TV most weekends with my dad. I remember him often saying the jockey rode a bad race or left his run too late or went too early. It all seemed pretty easy then but I have now realised how wrong it was to criticise jockeys when we obviously knew nothing about tactics and race riding.”

He continued, “It had never crossed my mind to do anything else other than be a jockey but when my family emigrated to South Africa in 1972 I had no idea there was racing here until I heard the commentary of Yataghan winning the July in 1973. My dad then made inquiries about how to become a jockey.”

So began the career of one of South Africa’s top jockeys.

“I went for tests given by the stipes, some of whom were ex-jockeys and being in their presence struck me with awe. I hoped more than ever I’d be a jockey one day. As a 32 kg fourteen-year-old I passed the test and was sent to the jockeys Academy at Summerveld in Durban. It was tough to be away from my family at such a young age and my first year there was the hardest of my life. We were continually on the go from 3:30 a.m. until bedtime at 8 p.m. doing chores for the older apprentices and frequently being punished for not doing them to their satisfaction. However, it taught me a lot about survival and made me a stronger person.”

The new way of life was underway and now it was time to prove himself in the saddle.

“My first race ride came later then my friends’ because I was very light and it took me time to be able to control these powerful animals. Unlike today where apprentices have to go down the straight for their first few rides, my first ride as a second-year apprentice was over 1600m at Greyville on a no-hoper called Merchant trained by Steve Lapin. I finished sixth and spent the whole race trying not to interfere with anybody especially the older apprentices who I’d have to face later.

After 22 rides in six months I had achieved six places which was not great and the Jockey Club decided to send me back to Johannesburg where my family lived.”

Lloyd’s initiation in the sport of horse racing had been tough, but with the move came opportunity.

“It was the turning point for me as I rode for Brian de Villiers who gave me all of his best rides and this helped me become champion apprentice for the following three years.

I think choices are one of the most important things in racing to who you become and this was illustrated by my first decision as a fully-fledged professional. I was offered a few jobs but decided to join Ricky Maingard as second jockey to Freddie Macaskill as he had a powerful yard and I felt if I could eventually become stable jockey I would have an opportunity to ride some of the best horses in the country. This happened within six months and I became associated with the great Wolf Power, the best horse I have ever ridden. I rode him for fourteen of his seventeen wins.”

The tide had turned and it was now Lloyd’s time to make his mark.

“My riding style changed dramatically under Ricky as he made me study videos of the best jockeys in the world concentrating on the great French jockey Yves St. Martin. I preferred watching my hero Lester Piggott who is still the best balanced jockey I’ve ever seen.” said Lloyd.

Having moulded himself from the greats and having achieved so much what of the future?

“I feel South African racing is going forward with all the success our horses are having overseas and a lot more money is coming in from foreign sources. The problem is we are way behind the world in stakes and especially in our Graded races. Until this improves to international standards we will never attract the best horses here and will remain way behind. Jockeys and trainers have continually complained about the difficulty of making a good living here and I hope the money brought in from our sales these days will help solve the problem.”

“My recent achievement of passing the 4,000 winners mark left me feeling very proud and although I am now 44 I still have a few goals. I would still love to win the July, the one big race that has eluded me and I’ve recently tried to get back into Hong Kong. I’ve done a three month stint there before, riding nine winners. It is very competitive and I love the challenge.”

Continuing with a tribute to his wife and children Lloyd said, “My wife Nicola is the daughter of jockey, trainer and later stipendiary steward Aubrey Roberts, who rode Diza to victory in the 1962 July, and the granddaughter of the famous jockey Charlie Barends. Being raised in the game she thankfully understands all of its ups and downs. My three children Tayah (8), Jaden (4) and Zac (2) are the best thing that has happened in my life and I spend as much time as possible with them so am glad to not to be traveling much these days. They are too young to know if they want to follow in my footsteps but if they did I think I would become a nervous wreck watching!”

In concluding the chat, what of superstitions in racing?

“Unlike many, I don’t have any superstitions. If things aren’t going well I look at myself first and foremost and when I see other people in racing being driven mad by silly superstitions, I just don’t get it!”

Pragmatic, energetic and driven, Jeff Lloyd still has much to achieve and give to the Sport of Kings in South Africa.

*Lloyd had possibly the best season of his career the following term in 2006/2007 riding seven Grade 1 winners, including three on one day when winning the J&B Met with Pocket Power, the Fancourt Majorca Stakes with Sun Classique and the Investec Cape Derby with Jay Peg.

LLOYD PART ii): JEFF SIDELINED BY A MILD STROKE (MARCH 2013)

JEFF Lloyd, one of the finest jockeys South Africa has produced, is in ICU in Queensland Australia as a precautionary measure after suffering a mild stroke, which was fortunately diagnosed early.

Lloyd said from his hospital bed, “An MRI scan showed a split vein from which blood was leaking and this caused a clot and the stroke.”

He said that initially the doctors had not been certain whether there had been a stroke. He added that they had said it could have been a lot worse had it not been diagnosed so early.

Lloyd stopped riding experienced “a stiff neck and headaches” after racing on Thursday and visited a chiropractor. “The chiropractor was not happy and recommended I have an MRI scan,” said Lloyd.

He said that an assessment on his future in the saddle had not been made yet as the ICU doctors were at present only concerned with monitoring the problem and ensuring it did not reoccur.

Lloyd said that it was unclear what the cause had been, but added that his family had a history of strokes and heart disease, so reckoned it was hereditary.

Lloyd, who is 51 years of age, is one of two South Africans alongside Piere Strydom to have ever ridden 4000 winners and currently stands on roundabout 4500. The Durbanite moved to Sydney Australia in late 2007 with his wife Nicola and three children. In his only full season there he finished fourth in the Sydney premiership.

He then had a stint of about three years in Hong Kong, where he had ridden nine winners before in the 1993/1994 season. Lloyd finished in the top ten in Hong Kong in his only two full seasons and in total has ridden 99 winners on the Chinese island.

Last year he moved back to Australia and settled on the Gold Coast, where he is currently lying eighth in the premiership with 20 winners.

Lloyd won the Jockey’s Championship in South Africa on six occasions and rode a record 313 winners in the 1991/1992 season. He was also champion jockey in Mauritius five times. He has ridden close to 90 Grade 1 winners.

Lloyd was born in the UK, so it was a memorable moment when he rode his first UK winner in his first ever UK ride at the home of racing, Newmarket, in August 1992 on a Richard Hannon-trained horse.

Lloyd has ridden in nine countries in all, South Africa, Mauritius, England, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Macau, Singapore and Germany.

He was last seen in South Africa when riding the Mike Bass-trained Chesalon in last year’s Vodacom Durban July. Unfortunately, his July hoodoo remained and he finished third in the big race for an incredible ninth time, although he did ride a Grade 1 winner on the day when scoring on the Corné Spies-trained War Horse in the Zulu Kingdom Golden Horseshoe.

Over the weekend the South African racing fraternity was full of well wishes for the popular jockey after news of his hospitalisation spread.

The stroke was likely caused by a fall he had the day before he experienced the headaches and it might have torn an artery in the brain. After the MRI and time in ICU he was told a fifth of his brain was dead and he would never ride again but miraculously, after initially having a goal to just get fit and healthy for whatever he was going to do next, he made a comeback to the saddle 14 months after the stroke. Fittingly, it was his old guv’nor from South Africa, David Payne, who supported him in his comeback. He said he would not ride again unless he felt he could ride to his best and he was soon proving he was as good as ever.

He rode 5 winners from 9 rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday, 17 September 2016.

At the age of 54 years in 2016, he became the oldest jockey to win the Queensland Metropolitan Jockey’s Premiership.

On Wednesday, 30 November 2016, Jeff rode seven Metropolitan winners on a twelve race Corbould Park card – the first jockey to achieve the feat in Australian history.

On 14 January 2017, he rode a scintillating pillar to post win aboard the Toby Edmonds-trained Houtzen in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

On 5 April 2017 Lloyd broke the Queensland record held by Chris Munce of 103 metropolitan wins in a season and he did it four months before the season had ended. He went on to set a new mark of 137.

Having become the oldest to win the Queensland Metropolitan premiership in 2015/2016 he won it for the next three seasons too and retired after the last of his premierships in 2018/2019.

Lloyd Part iii): A LAST ATTEMPT TO BREAK THE JULY HOODOO (JULY 2018)

Jeff Lloyd hopes he has chosen the right horse in the Vodacom Durban July in which he will be aboard the Justin Snaith-trained four-year-old colt Made To Conquer.

Lloyd, a six-times South African champion jockey, has always been a particularly good rider of Greyville, where the uphill section from the 1000m mark up to the 450m long straight has found out many a lesser rider.

However, the July has always eluded him, although he has often gone close, finishing third on no fewer than nine occasions.

Made To Conquer has the pedigree to win the July.

He is by Dynasty, who won the big race in 2003 and produced the July winner of 2014, Legislate.

Dynasty’s progeny have a noticeable liking for the tight Greyville track due to their inherited ability to accelerate off the mark.

Made To Conquer is out of the Casey Tibbs mare Festive Occasion, who won the Grade 2 SA Oaks. Amomg Festive Occasion’s three Grade 1 placed efforts was a third place finish in the Woolavington 2200 over the July course and distance. Furthermore, she produced the Silvano filly Do You Remember, who won the Woolavington 2000 and followed up by finishing third in the July in 2013.

Lloyd was due to be in South Africa anyway in order to see how his son Jaden had been doing at the South African Jockeys Academy. He was given a few options for the July but plumped for Made To Conquer.

He said the bay colt had given him a good feel in the July gallops last Thursday and he was also pleased to discover the type of temperament he had.

He said, “He’s a good mover, he has a good temperament, but he’s not a horse who does more than he has to do. He is very laid back. I’ve ridden many horses who wait for the racecourse to do their best and I think he is one of them.”

Lloyd had admitted on the day of the gallops that he believed Made To Conquer would probably be at his very best in six months time. However, the veteran jockey certainly looks to have a fine chance of getting across the line first in his likely final bid to win the July.

He is due to retire soon but at the age of 56 is still at the top of his game. He broke the Queensland Metropolitan and State records for the number of winners in the 2016/2017 Australian racing season and is well clear in those championships again this season.

Made To Conquer is currently the 9/1 joint-third favourite with Betting World.

Lloyd will be hoping to make it a 95^th Group 1 winner and will jump from a fair draw of 11 if the reserve runners come out.

*Jeff attained his best finishing position in the July as Made To Conquer finished a 1,25 length second to Do It Again, who went on to win it the following year too.

*The final day of his career happened about a year later in July 2019 and was described by www.punters.com.au:

Champion jockey Jeff Lloyd failed to ride a winner on the last day of his career on Saturday but was still a popular figure with the Doomben crowd.

Lloyd had seven rides on his final day in the saddle but the closest he got was second on Auerbach in the open handicap.

“I suppose that’s racing,” Lloyd said after his last ride on Granny Red Shoes who ran unplaced.

He leaves the sport with more than 5000 winners including 94 in Group One company.

Although the season finale is still two weeks away, Lloyd wrapped up his fourth metropolitan title well before Saturday.

It means he has won 19 premierships in three different countries.

The Brisbane Racing Club had a special presentation to Lloyd with jockeys forming an honour guard with his family also attending.

Punters showed their appreciation by standing three deep around the enclosure to give Lloyd a rousing three cheers.

“The coverage (his retirement) it has got has been mind-blowing. I am just incredibly thankful for all the kind words and I have enjoyed my time so much in Australia,” he said.

Lloyd’s wife Nicola paid a heart felt tribute to him.

“You have broken numerous records and done amazing things especially after a life threatening stroke at age 51,” she said.

“And continuing to be an outstanding athlete at your current age of nearly 58. However, those are all just statistics that will stand the test of time but the part I am proudest of is the mark you have left.”

Nicola, who also posted a tribute on social media, said her husband was admired by all in racing for his hard, honest work but he was also respected for his humble nature and sense of humour as well as an ability to laugh at himself.

“He was always wanting to learn and never putting himself above others,” she said.

Lloyd now devotes himself to helping his sons Jaden and Zac and others in their careers as professional jockeys through Lloyd Racing Management Services.