Jockey of the Month – August 2016

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Nikita

SEAN VEALE

Sean has never been short of talent but for some years that talent was not fully exploited through the lack of opportunity. Then he joined the leading stable of Dennis Drier and with the opportunities came success and the full extent of his talent as an aggressive, powerful rider was revealed.

Those talents have also been exploited by other trainers and during the month, while Anthony Delpech pipped him by one winner for the top spot, Sean steered 10 of his 51 rides into the winner’s enclosure with another seven making the frame.

An impressive performance worthy of the award.

Well done Sean

Owner of the Month – July 2016

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Nikita

DUNCAN HOWELLS

Described by a leading racing personality as “the hardest working trainer I have ever seen”, Duncan was destined for a career in racing with his father and uncle having been in the game either as trainer or jockey and, from an early age, he has loved being around and working with horses.

“As I couldn’t become a jockey the obvious alternative was to be a trainer and with a stable of 100 horses I have been very lucky.”

He said being voted the owner of the month placed him in a very difficult position as far as his owners were concerned. “Some might think I keep shares in horses that I know are good but it is not like that at all. Every year I take shares in five or six horses and that is before they have run. We only know their potential once they have run and I have just been very lucky.”

It was also the case that having purchased a horse, like other trainers, he was forced at time to retain a share.

During the month Duncan had shares in three horses that won and was chosen by Gold Circle as the owner of the month.

Well done Duncan

Trainer of the Month – July 2016

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Nikita

JOEY RAMSDEN

It has been a remarkable month and a few trainers are worthy of the award. Mike Bass won the final Grade 1 of his career, the Mike & Carol Bass Champions Cup, while Mike de Kock won both main marathon events, the SABC Gold Vase and the eLan Gold Cup, scoring the Quartet in the former.

But Joey Ramsden, who moved into the season later than normal, came, saw and did the business winning two Grade 1 events, the Vodacom Durban July and the Mercury Sprint with The Conglomerate and Red Ray. It was his first success in both events, and making it one of the highlights of his career and a performance worthy of the award.

Well done Joey

Jockey of the Month – July 2016

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Nikita

GRANT VAN NIEKERK

It was a month where the graded races were spread widely among the riders with Anthony Delpech, who had the most overall winners with a tally of 16, managed the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes and the Grade 2 Gold Bracelet while S’manga Khumalo bagged the Grade 3 SABC Gold Vase and Grade 2 eLan Gold Cup and a total of eight winners during the month.

Grant had less success overall with three winners and 11 places but he rode two Grade 1 winners on Inara in the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes and on Marinaresco in the Mike & Carol Bass Champions Cup.

It was a difficult choice to make but it was decided that Grant’s achievement as a visiting rider with less opportunities was worthy of the award.

Well done Grant