Felix takes Job at the academy

Almost all jockeys turned trainers are very poor trainers
Roberts-legendary champion jock but poor trainer !No excuses,he got the support but wasted it.
Van Zyl- Poor/average jock, if it wasn't for chestny he would be also poor trainer, got the biggest owners but mostly chestny win the big races.
Gadsby- just plain poor
Basil marcus -champion jock but average trainer, son also better than him
Botes- average to poor, plenty empty stables
Lucky- one hit wonder with JJ but otherwise poor/average
Puller-Champion jock but average trainer
Hill-top jock , poor trainer
James Maree- pathetic trainer
So why will felix change it , jocks know what to do on the horse but have no clue how to enforce it to a workrider.
Speak your mind if you disagree ,but back your opinion up with facts

David Payne was an above average jockey and trainer. He won the July has a jockey with Chimbora and has a trainer with In Full Flight. Also trained Met winner, the filly Imperious Sue. It's better to try and fail than fail to try!

naresh wrote: David Payne was an above average jockey and trainer. He won the July has a jockey with Chimbora and has a trainer with In Full Flight. Also trained Met winner, the filly Imperious Sue. It's better to try and fail than fail to try!

I'll second that :dry:

Peter Kannemeyer , another living legend, also started off as a jockey and due to the many dietary problems inc weight etc, he was forced to take up training.Read all about his success in his profile courtesy of Sporting Post.

The Passmore brothers Reg and Hilton were also jockeys early in the day and they went to train some of the country's top sprinters.

Hilton won the Durban July on Migraine.

There have been many top jockeys who have won big races and then turned to training due to weight problems, injury etc. However all have not had success but invariably, it runs in the genes and sons and grandsons are there to take up the running with the experience handed down from generation to generation.

Sydney Laird the legend started off as a jockey but was too heavy, however his uncle and mentor Syd Garrett rode two July winners and took Syd Laird in as his assistant.Look to what heights that took Syd and now Alec Laird followed in his footsteps.

However this thread is all about Felix and his career choices so to sum up, I will quote the legend Terence Millard who incidentally also started off as a rider/trainer at the Amateur Racing days at Durbanville, and what he said about Felix Coetzee................


" A vital cog in the team is reigning champion jockey Felix Coetzee who has been No1 rider for the stable for several years. Coetzee's talents are not limited to work and race riding.HE ALSO HANDLES ALL THE STABLE'S NOMINATIONS.
HE WORKS HARD. I LIKE HIM TO DO THE ENTRIES BECAUSE HE KNOWS THEHORSES AND IT KEEPS HIM INTERESTED. HE IS ALWAYS HERE TO RIDE AT 6 A.M.EVEN IF HE IS RIDING IN ANOTHER CENTRE THAT DAY."

Now if the late Arthur Millar hung up his riding boots as a jockey in downtown P.E. yet was motivated to take out a trainer's licence, I suppose where there is a will, there will be a way!!!

Arthur Millar proved that when he took his P.E. straggler STATEWAY to Durban and won the prestigious GR1 GOLD CUP.

Your bang out of order stig, anymore shite your out

naresh wrote: An extract from Sporting Post with an interview with Douglas Whyte.

Who is the toughest jockey you’ve ridden against?

Felix Coetzee

Felix – there’s only one – thank goodness !

Felix Coetzee. He is ruthless! I’ll never forget a finish I rode against him in Bloem. I was travelling well and was going to win. I looked over and saw Felix, throwing absolutely everything into it, so much so that I ended up with a few welts on my arm. I’d never seen such focus and determination. He beat me and just after the line, he looked over as if to say ‘you’ve still got a few things to learn, son’. Some guys may have got angry, but I learnt that it’s do or die. When those gates open, there are no friends – mutual respect yes, but until you hit the line, it’s just you and the horse and the job you’ve got to do. You ride to win. There’s only one Felix Coetzee, thank goodness!

What a great piece to read, Felix is/was a master and is a loss to the apprentices never mind the academy! He will make a great trainer as he is a master horseman and the most focused and dedicated professional you will ever meet.

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wrong thread sorry

Great reply mikesack. You know history very well, will love to hear more of that :woohoo:

Maybe it's not history for him...it sounds as if he was there....

Former professional jockey Nicky Roebuck says he is looking forward to the challenges facing him when he takes up the position of Riding Master at the SA Jockey Academy with effect from Monday 5 January 2015.

Sylvester wrote: Former professional jockey Nicky Roebuck says he is looking forward to the challenges facing him when he takes up the position of Riding Master at the SA Jockey Academy with effect from Monday 5 January 2015.

I thought Nicky was a girl :whistle: