Piere Strydom and Gavin Lerena share a moment at Striker’s last ever meeting at Turffontein on Saturday (JC Photos)
Dave Mollett
As the curtain comes down on the 2024/25 season, these are memorable racing times for two of the sport’s favourite sons, Piere Strydom and Gavin Lerena.
Piere rode his first winner in 1982 which means I have been reporting on his outstanding career for three decades. What was his greatest ride? No doubt in my mind – his perfectly-timed finish on Lucky Houdalakis’ star, J J The Jet Plane, in Hong Kong. Wonderful day (and night!) with HK dollars bulging in my pockets.
A win for Royal Victory in Sunday’s HKJC Champions Cup would have been a fitting farewell. It wasn’t to be. Rather like cricket legend Donald Bradman getting a duck in his final innings.
Regular readers of Turf Talk will know editor, David Thiselton, has put together a fascinating series of articles on Piere’s career. It tells – in detail – the jockeys rise from a slow beginning to reach the top.
“Striker” – as he is affectionately known – has ridden many talented fillies in his career and recently he described Quid Pro Quo as “the best filly I’ve ever ridden.” Some statement given the many talented females he has partnered in his long career.
He will be sad to hear of the passing of that filly’s trainer, Barend Botes.
Like all sportsmen and sportswomen, there are good and bad times and there’s no doubt it’s been a turbulent season for Gavin Lerena but, happily, it has ended on a high note with the 39 year-old securing his second jockeys championship.
This time no last week drama like 2012 when Gavin was pipped by a single winner by Anton Marcus on the final day of the season.
Of course, the big talking point surrounding Gavin was his whipping of Jason Gates on the back during a race at Turffontein in January. It made the overseas media with the UK’s Daily Mail stating “Two rival jockeys – including a decorated star who has Group 1 victories to his name – are the talk of the sport after violently whipping each other mid-race.”
If there’s a similar event in another sport it is Zinedine Zedane’s losing it in a 2006 World Cup match against Italy when he head-butted an opponent and was sent off.
Gavin later commented on Instagram: “What took place is entirely inconsistent with my character and I deeply regret the incident.”
His wife, Vikki, who started riding at Yvette Bremner’s yard at the tender age of 13 and is now an on-course presenter in Gauteng, rushed to his defence saying “My husband is the most dedicated person I know. His love for the game and the horse has no boundaries.”
What has totally confused the majority of racing folk is the fact that Gavin hasn’t served any suspension for an incident that took place in January. In April, the Sporting Post reported that the jockey had appealed the 90-day ban (60 suspended) and fine handed down by the NHRA.
If you are suspended in top racing countries like France or Hong Kong, there’s no delay in them coming into effect. Personally it suited me having backed Gavin at 6-1 to win the title (I owe you a drink,Gav), but we need to get our act together in this regard.
Although he will be disappointed not to have been involved in the finish on Madison Valley in the Gold Cup, Gavin didn’t leave Hollywoodbets Greryville empty-handed as he captured the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint on Tony Peter’s three-year old, Buffalo Storm Cody.
Richard Fourie knew a fortnight ago that he wasn’t going to retain his title, but it’s been another big season for the talented rider and he notched a double on Sunday scoring on I Salute You and Alan Greeff’s sensational two year-old filly, Golden Palm.
Bought pretty cheaply for R260 000 by Peter Moor, Golden Palm was bred by Varsfontein Stud who are sending a strong draft of 20 youngsters to the forthcoming BSA Two Year-Old Sale on August 21 and 22.
Now that draft just happens to include a half-sister (by Gimmethegreenlight) to Golden Palm. Couldn’t have been better timing for Varsfontein.
The big plus for the successful operation run by Carl and Amanda de Vos is that they name their horses so well. Golden Palm’s half-sister is no exception and is called Lightscameraaction. There is likely to be plenty of that when the filly enters the sales ring and – if Mr Moor is keen on her – he will face plenty of opposition this time.
**********************
We are just three weeks away from a racing event which – in 2024 – was officially designated as “The Best Race In The World.” It is the Gr Juddmonte Stakes scheduled for York on August 20.
I haven’t missed many of this famous York meeting and – as usual – will get early to my vantage point in the County Stand to make sure I catch the big race action from start to finish.
Despite his shock defeat in the Sussex Stakes, York officials will be keeping their fingers crossed that the Gosden star, Field Of Gold, is in the final line-up.
John Gosden’s post-race comment at Goodwood: “They ignored the pacemaker and paid the price.”
The Juddmonte field could also include Delacroix and Ombudsman and possibly a runner from Japan which would make it truly “international.”
It is 13 years since I witnessed Frankel’s win in the Juddmonte – the horse who won 14 races in an illustrious career (including 10 Gr 1’s) accelerating in a matter of strides to put seven lengths between himself and his nearest pursuer.
Frankel’s career has prompted many glowing tributes but the one I like best was written by UK journo, Nick Lightfoot.
He wrote: “Frankel was box office. He put bums on seats, emptied bars and captured the heart and imagination like no other. There are no stains on his record. No off-days. No hard luck stories. Just pure perfection.”
