Fayd’Herbe will thus win his first cap for South Africa and said, “It is a privilege and I am happy, it will be good to represent the country.” The 33 year old Fayd’Herbe, who grew up in Madagascar, joined S’manga Khumalo (Captain), Piere Strydom, Richard Fourie, Muzi Yeni and Anthony Delpech.
The sixth member of the International team is still to be announced.He or she will join James Doyle (Captain – UK), Martin Harley (Ireland), Adam Kirby (United Kingdom), Andreas Helfenbein (Germany) and Selim Kaya (Turkey).
The Challenge is often viewed by the racing fraternity as perhaps a “good fun” event for the jockeys, but this view ignores the mindset of the professional sportsman and Fayd’Herbe confirmed, “Any competition is intense for me, I thrive on it and wouldn’t be where I am today without that attitude. Also the better the competition the better you become.”
Fayd’Herbe’s big match temperament has often earned him the title “Big Race Bernard”, so there could hardly have been a better choice by the selectors. Fayd’Herbe has also earned widespread admiration for the arduous sweating, exercise and diet regime he has had to undergo just to make it to the races.
He was the Western Cape champion jockey in the 2012/2013 season, an amazing feat considering his riding weight of 58kg. His current training program had seen him winning the battle against his weight and he is also getting a lot of support from some of Cape Town’s top yards.
He said, “Things are looking good, I have some exciting horses to look forward to and will be disappointed if I don’t have a good season.” He is retained by one of Joey Ramsden’s biggest owner families, the Kieswetters, and otherwise freelances. In the latter capacity he receives good support from the like of Ramsden, national champion trainer Justin Snaith, his long-time guv’nor Mike Bass, Mike Stewart, Neil Bruss and others.
On Saturday Fayd’Herbe rode the Australian-bred four-year-old Danehill Dancer filly Acrostar from the Snaith yard to an impressive victory as she surged past the very promising Ramsden-trained three-year-old Grey Light in a Progress Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m and won with ease. Acrostar looks to be a progressive type and has won her last two over that trip, so could be a sprint-miler to follow in minor features.
However, Fayd’Herbe’s favourite horse at present is the highly progressive Bass-trained Trippi mare Hammie’s Hooker. The term “brilliant” is usually reserved for Gr 1 winners, but Hammie’s Hooker would probably have earned that accolade by now if it were not for her nemesis Beach Beauty. The latter is now retired, so a lot of the big fillies and mares mile events should be at Hammie’s Hooker’s mercy and as a five-year-old the 1800m of the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes might also now be within her range.
Picture: Bernard Fayd’Herbe (Liesl King)
