Ashley Fortune, wife of former champion jockey Andrew Fortune, saddles her first runner as a licensed trainer tomorrow at the Vaal.

“It is a dream come true, I didn’t think it would happen so soon, or ever, actually.

“I feel blessed and grateful for the support from those who have backed our stable so early.”

The Vaal-based trainer sends out the former Brett Crawford-trained Mambo In Seattle filly Pachanga in the last race of the day, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1700m.

She said she did not quite know what to expect, but felt the bay filly would go close “on paper.”

Andrew acts as assistant and was more bullish.

He said, “She is doing well and her work has been really good. I will be disappointed if she doesn’t run in the first three and I think she will win.”

Ashley is from Zimbabwe and is now South African by naturalisation.

She started her career in racing as assistant trainer to successful Zimbabwean trainer Noelene Peach.

She met Andrew when he came out to ride in Zimbabwe and later became assistant to the top trainer Joey Ramsden when moving to this country in 2008.

She has also worked on stud farms.

TABnews reports that Ashley received a massive vote of confidence with leading owner Hassen Adams transferring all of his Gauteng based horses to her care.

The standout among these is Gr2 winning stayer Let It Rain, who has been nominated for the Gold Bowl at Turffontein on May 5.

“I have also received two Cape horses from Mr Adams in the form of Red Light Girl and Emerald Gal, and would like to thank him for showing such faith in me,” she said.

Andrew was sad to declare yesterday his jockey career “done and dusted” on the advice of his doctor.

He has had five operations to his right knee, including a partial knee replacement, and also has arthritis.

However, he added, “I am still able to ride horses, I just can’t ride short like a jockey.”

He therefore plays an important role as work rider in the yard.

Those familiar with South African racing will know of Andrew’s highly entertaining post-race interviews and contributions to panel discussions and will not be surprised to hear that he also does the “talking” for the yard.

Andrew has also worked with top trainers in his career like Ramsden, Dennis Drier and Charles Laird, so will have learnt a lot about varying methods that have produced good results.

The couple already have 20 horses just two months after Ashley wrote her trainer’s license examination and are also active at the current National Yearling Sales.

They work as a team at the sales spotting yearlings and Andrew added, “I often ask for a third or fourth opinion, I am not scared to ask for help.”

He seeks on-hands advice or via phone calls to trainers and others with vast sales experience.

By David Thiselton