GRANT VAN NIEKERK

It was a month where the graded races were spread widely among the riders with Anthony Delpech, who had the most overall winners with a tally of 16, managed the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes and the Grade 2 Gold Bracelet while S’manga Khumalo bagged the Grade 3 SABC Gold Vase and Grade 2 eLan Gold Cup and a total of eight winners during the month.

Grant had less success overall with three winners and 11 places but he rode two Grade 1 winners on Inara in the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes and on Marinaresco in the Mike & Carol Bass Champions Cup.

It was a difficult choice to make but it was decided that Grant’s achievement as a visiting rider with less opportunities was worthy of the award.

Well done Grant

ANTON MARCUS

Anthony Delpech is in devastating form and himself deserved the award for his 19 wins, and particularly for his success on the Justin Snaith runners on Guineas Day and in the Woolavington 2000.

But while winning races is important, which Anton did well with 15 during the month, winning under trying circumstances deserves recognition and in Anton’s ride on Rabada to win the Daily News 2000 one saw outstanding jockeyship as he nursed the Mike Azzie charge to the line without panicking after he dropped his stick at the top of the straight.

It was an outstanding display of level-headed calm under incredible pressure as he kept the colt balanced with encouragement only by flicking the reins and pushing to hold off the challengers in the finish.

An inspirational performance worthy of the award.

Well done Anton

Anthony Delpech

Top jockeys usually end up riding the top horses and generally having higher rates of success and in spite of relinquishing his role as stable jockey for the powerful Mike de Kock stable, Anthony is riding the crest of the wave and a whole lot of winners to boot.

He has teamed up with Cape trainer Dean Kannemeyer and while it is said that a change is as good as a holiday, there has been no vacation for the likeable rider who is riding at the top of his game.

During the month he booted home 20 winners and finished in the placings in another 34 races which is an outstanding record and worthy of the monthly award.

Well done Anthony

Keagan De Melo

Keagan has proven himself to be a very talented rider and has partnered many good horses, and others that had been struggling a little, into the winner’s enclosure.

During the month he was a busy man with 84 rides of which 15 found the number one box and a further 32 fought their way into the placings. The hard work paid real dividends and with the winter season at hand, he could be expected to continue his current run of form.

Well done Keagan

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.