ANTHONY DELPECH

Anthony is one of the most sought after riders in the country and has produced some stunning winning rides in his career. Although contracted to the Mike de Kock yard for some years he was snapped up by other stables whenever possible.

Now, having relinquished his contractual ties to the De Kock yard – although he will still take some rides for it – he will be in even greater demand and a variety of other rides will be available to him.

His success in the saddle was fully demonstrated during the month with an incredible 12 wins and 19 places from just 37 races at a win-place rate of 83.78% which was outstanding.

Well done Anthony.

WARREN KENNEDY

South Africa has produced numerous jockeys of international standard, many competing successfully on tracks around the world, but there are many others operating most of their careers in the shadows of the superstars, seldom getting the breaks they deserve.

Warren is one of those, a hard-working and dedicated rider’s whose talents have been acknowledged by trainers in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape where he has steered many runners into the winner’s enclosure.

During the month he showcased those talents by winning nine races and getting another 20 of his mounts into the placings, an effort worthy of the monthly award.

Well done Warren.

ANTHONY DELPCH

Riding the crest of the wave at the moment, Anthony is utilizing all his national and international experience to boot the winners home on a regular basis.

At the end of December he was heading the jockey table in the country and during the month rode 12 winners at an average of 20.69% of his 58 rides. In addition, 28 of his other rides finished in the placings.

In addition to his duties as stable jockey to the Mike de Kock yard, he has been sought after by many trainers and has partnered extremely well with Dean Kannemeyer.

Excellent work and well done Anthony

ANTON MARCUS

It is said that jockeys are only as good as the horses they ride but there are times when jockeys get horses to win that really shouldn’t. That is the talent that Anton displays on so many occasions and it showed again during the month when 77.55% of the horses he rode finished in the money.

From his 49 rides, 18 found the winner’s enclosure and a further 20 ran into the placings which is one of the best records ever posted by a jockey.

His knowledge of pace and the ability to extract the best from his mounts through perfect balance and positioning in a race are talents that place him in a league of his own and worthy of this month’s award.

Well done Anton.

ALEC FORBES

It was a very competitive month and, as expected, top riders Anthony Delpech and Anton Marcus topped the winner’s table with 12 and 11 winners respectively.

Making full use of the opportunities given him, Alec had a great month as well and he steered 10 of his 50 rides into the winner’s enclosure with another 14 of his mounts finishing in the money.

A quiet man, Alec has proven his ability to match it with the best of them and is sought after by a number of trainers for his dedicated and professional manner.

Well done Alec.

IAN STURGEON

After showing promise as a young rider, Ian drifted somewhat into the wilderness of the jockey ranks but in recent times has rejuvenated his career with some great rides that showcased the talent this likable man with the engaging smile has to offer.

With greater opportunities he has demonstrated that talent with some brilliant riding, strong finishes and booting home nine winners with 13 of his other rides finishing in the placings is an effort worthy of the award.

Well done Ian.

MUZI YENI

One of the most likeable and popular riders in the country, Muzi is also blessed with plenty of talent and he hit KwaZulu-Natal like a storm during the month riding 11 winners and finishing in the placings on another 23 occasions giving his supporters much to be happy about.

His overall money strike rate was over 50% and those that followed him with a R1 win and place bet would have made a profit of R24.6 over the period.

It was a top-notch performance and a great start for the new season.

Well done Muzi.

STUART RANDOLPH

Winning the Vodacom Durban July is the dream of every owner, trainer and jockey and an honour very few have achieved over the years.

Stuart has been the unsung hero of many races in his career but in driving Power King to the line in the country’s toughest and roughest race after taking a bump at the top of the straight from Punta Arenas then gathering him to fight a bitter battle to the finish was an outstanding display of cool and courageous riding worthy of the award.

Well done Stuart.

RICHARD FOURIE

Richard has made a name for himself as a top class rider and one that is almost in a class of his own as a front-runner rider but this month he showed he can do it from anywhere with brilliant victory rides in two Grade 2 feature races.

He rode four winners from 21 rides during the month but few will forget his brilliantly-timed rides for trainer Justin Snaith in the Grade 2 Post Merchants at Greyville and two days later in the Gold Circle Oaks at Scottsville.

Anthony Delpech and Anton Marcus both had outstanding months but it was Richard’s great rides on Daring Dave at Greyville and Ash Cloud at Scottsville that were the outstanding performances of the month.

Well done Richard.

DONOVAN DILLON

The country’s top trainers and riders are in the region as Champions Season races along in full swing and the top riders, as expected, have the pick of the best rides.

However, Donovan has maintained his top racing standard and in a very competitive time managed to boot home seven winners, only two less than Anton Marcus and one less than Anthony Delpech and S’Manga Khumula. The young rider also managed to steer another 15 of his rides into the placings.

Well done Donovan.