OWNER OF THE MONTH – OCTOBER 2023
Author Archives: Yegan Kander
OWNER OF THE MONTH – SEPTEMBER 2023
Trainer of the Month – January 2024
Byron Forster
Byron’s name does not appear on the official trainer’s log but as KZN assistant to Western Cape-based trainer Andre Nel he runs the Summerveld yard. A long-time assistant to Paul Lafferty, Byron took his chances when assistant to Nel came up as he was basically on his own. He sent out 22 runners for four win and three seconds for a healthy 18% winning strike rate.
Byron is Gold Circle’s trainer of the Month for January
Jockey of the Month – January 2024
Serino Moodley
Serino has been in smart form of late and his services are in high demand. He is especially strong in a finish and booted home seven winners from his 50 mounts with a further seven in second. He also made successful raids on the Highveld where he teamed up with Summerveld-based trainer Lorenzo Karriem.
Serino is Gold Circle’s Jockey of the Month for January.
Trainer of the Month – December 2023
Robbie Hill
Robbie Hill has one of the smaller yards in Summerveld and while he generally flies under the radar one can never discount his runners. Robbie was a top jockey in his riding days and was for many years associated with training legend Dennis Drier. Robbie only saddled five runners in December for two wins and a second at a 40% strike rate. A R1 win bet on each of his runners would have returned a R12.70 profit.
Robbie is Gold Circle’s Trainer of the Month for December.
Jockey of the Month – December 2023
Rachel Venniker
Rachel Venniker walked off with a number of awards at the end-of-year South African Jockey Academy speechday, a few days before she lost her apprentice tag to become a fully fledged jockey. She had already ridden over 200 winners as an apprentice and rounded her time off with six winners at a healthy 17% winning strike rate and over 50% of her rides finishing in the money.
Rachel is Gold Circle’s Jockey of the Month for December.
Jockey of the Month – November 2023
Tristan Godden
Western Cape-based Richard Fourie continues to dominate as he hunts for rides around the country with his agent, former NHA handicapper Ken Nicol picking the plums. Fourie banged home 14 winners in KZN in November but local rider Tristan Godden has also hit a purple patch. He went through a lean spell, as most in this sport often do, but is now riding at the top of his game. He has always been a talented rider but seldom gets chances on the big stage. However, he has built up a relationship with seasoned trainer Mike Miller and together they have been having their fair share of success. Tristan rode seven winners in November at a 16% winning strike rate.
Tristan is Gold Circle’s Jockey of the Month for November.
Trainer of the Month – November 2023
Mike Miller
Mike Miller had one of the best days of his training career at Hollywoodbets Scottsville when he saddled five winners on the eight-race card. It is not unusual for a jockey to have a five-timer but it is exceptional for a trainer. Mike is known for being a wizz in starting his two-year-olds early and is currently second on the KZN trainer log with 17 winners, one behind Alyson Wright. Mike has also had particular success at Hollywoodbets Scottsville with 11 of his total coming on the Maritzburg course.
Mike is Gold Circle’s Trainer of the Month for November
NEW SCORE 8
Jockey of the Month – October 2023
Richard Fourie
Richard, second to Keagan de Melo in the national jockey championship last season, is making a concerted effort to go one better this term and is currently in a title race with Muzi Yeni. He tributes much of his success to his agent, former NHA handicapper Ken Nicol, but he has received solid support from local trainers and from his 47 rides he booted home 15 winners, six more than local rider Serino Moodley.
Richard is Gold Circle’s Jockey of the Month for October
