PHUMELELA MEDIA RELEASE
SUBJECT: SA team in International Jockeys’ Challenge to be awarded national colours
DATE: Wednesday 28 October
RELEASED BY: Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited
The team manager and the six riders chosen to represent South Africa in the International Jockeys’ Challenge on Steinhoff Summer Cup Day at Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg on Saturday 29 November will be awarded senior national colours.
National Horseracing Authority (NHA) Chief Executive Rob de Kock, the convener of the selection panel, confirmed on Tuesday that jockeys Mark Khan, Anton Marcus, Weichong Marwing, Karl Neisius, Kevin Shea and Piere Strydom had been awarded colours.
They will be presented with their Protea blazers by Phumelela Group CEO Rian du Plessis and Racing Association Chairman Larry Wainstein at the official draw for barrier positions for the Summer Cup to be conducted on Wednesday evening 19 November. The draw for mounts in the four-race International Jockeys’ Challenge will take place on the same evening.
Former multiple South African and British champion jockey Michael ``Muis’’ Roberts has been named as team manager and he too will be awarded colours.
“It’s great news,” said Phumelela General Manager Marketing and Communications Robert Garner. “Racing is as much a sport as soccer or rugby and the six riders will be representing their country.’’
Acquiring national colours proved to be a lengthy process as horseracing had not been affiliated to any body recognised by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).
``Sascoc told us that the application had to come via a national body and we first had to apply for membership of the South African Equestrian Council,’’ explained De Kock.
``That then raised the issue as to whether horseracing was a sport or a business. But we managed to convince them that racing itself and the betting surrounding the sport were two separate issues, as is the case with cricket and soccer where millions are bet but they still remain sports.’’
Membership to the SA Equestrian Council was granted and as a result that body could apply to Sascoc, which finally agreed to confer senior Protea colours on the jockeys and manager.
Roberts, who won the SA Jockeys’ Championship 11 times and the British title in 1992, said he was thrilled to be part of the International Jockeys’ Challenge. ``This event is very good for racing in South Africa and I feel the guys involved pulled off quite a coup in getting some of the biggest names in the world to compete in the event. I’ve ridden against most of them and I look forward to meeting up with them again.
``As far as the SA team is concerned, we have the best local jockeys riding for us and our knowledge of the conditions probably makes us the favourites. But a lot will depend on the luck of the draw,” he continued.
``I rode in most of the previous international competitions for which I also received my colours but I feel very honoured to have been selected to be part of this event.’’
Current SA champion jockey Mark Khan, who will captain the team, was equally buoyant at the news. ``For me it was a huge honour to captain the team; it’s even a greater honour to be awarded our national colours. Well done to the team who put this event together!’’
The panel, comprising De Kock and Vee Moodley from the NHA, Patrick Davis of Phumelela and RA chairman Larry Wainstein, selected the team on merit according to set criteria, notably their placings on the national jockeys’ log over the last five years, that they must hold a South African licence and/or domiciled address in South Africa as well as their international achievements.
Anthony Delpech has been named as the official reserve and will replace any rider unable to fulfil his engagements in the Challenge.
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