Four-time Vodacom Durban July winning jockey Anthony Delpech is joining Mary Slack as a retained jockey after a successful seven-year partnership with one of the country’s top stud farms and wine estates, Avontuur.

Delpech expressed his immense gratitude to Avontuur for their loyal support over the years and is looking forward to the next chapter in his racing career.

“I have been extremely lucky to have been sponsored by Avontuur for the last seven years and have shared some memorable moments with them during this time. It has been a great ride, mainly due to Pippa (Mickleburgh) and the Taberer family, who have been incredibly supportive over these past years and I owe them a special thanks and appreciation for the consistent kindness shown to me.  I wish them all the success in the future.

“Despite the happy partnership, I will now be moving on as I have been given an opportunity to be Mary Slack’s retained jockey and will have first call on all the Wilgerbosdrift–owned horses in addition to riding for Mauritzfontein.”

Delpech takes over from Weichong Marwing. The internationally experience Marwing has been suffering from debilitating back problems and his riding engagements have been limited. His bad back cost him the winning ride on the Mauritzfontein-owned Smart Call in this year’s J&B Met and also the ride on The Illuminator in the CTS Million Dollar.

Mike Makaab, CEO of Prosport International, the sports management company that brokered the Avontuur deal, was full of praise for the way in which Avontuur conducted their relationship with Delpech and wished both Avontuur and Delpech success in the future.