NEWSLETTER May 2009 The Sovereign Lord will destroy death forever! He will wipe away the tears from everyone s eyes and take away the disgrace his people have suffered throughout the world. Isaiah 25 vs. 8 From the Headmaster s Desk Dear Parents and Friends of the Academy The month of May has been a particularly difficult month. Despite being able to host delegations from the Korean Racing Authority and Shanghai Turf Club (thanks to Peter Gibson of Racing South Africa) which should have been a highlight of this months message, as both delegations were very impressed with what we are doing and certainly expressed an interest in developing relationships between their countries and the Academy. Graham Bailey, Graeme Hawkins and Colin Aitken from Gold Circle and representatives of the Korean Racing Authority. Sadly the tragic loss of Jabs Jabulani Mahanyane, put the local racing community, and in particular the Academy into a state of shock. Sadly as is so often the case, it is those people that you least expect to do something that actually do it. Jabs was a very polite young man who always had a smile on his face. His riding was developing well and he was not far off from having his papers signed to start race riding. On Sunday the 10 th May, a large group of staff and pupils left the Academy at 2:30am to travel to Soweto to attend Jabs funeral service and to share in the family s time of grief. May he rest in peace.
There was much excitement as young Jaswick Jordaan signed his race riding papers and shortly afterwards secured his first race ride. Also a big congratulations to Waylon Gordon for starting track work and to Tshwaro Appie and Jesen Vyapooree on their first win. The next challenge for these young gentlemen will be to secure regular rides and to obtain the necessary qualification rides down the straight and then around the bend. We wish them well as they go forward in their apprenticeship. Jaswick s first race ride at Scottsville on the 3 rd May. On Monday the 11 th May 2009 we said our goodbyes to Sopan Sofian who returned to Malaysia. We hope that as he returns to his home and to the racing fraternity in that country he takes with him the lessons that he learnt here at the Academy. I would like to thank one of the trainers in particular, who was very good to Sopan. When I conducted his exit interview with Sopan I asked him if there was anything in particular that he would like to mention and he said to me that he really appreciated the support of trainer Bart Rice, who also used to take him out occasionally and who gave him accommodation over the Christmas period. Thank you Bart! SAJA Apprentices bid Sopan a fond farewell 2
The Gold Cap award for exemplary riding was awarded to Juan Paul van der Merwe for the month of May. We congratulate him for this achievement and encourage the other apprentices to strive to achieve this award. JP van der Merwe sporting his Gold Cap I am sure you would have noticed that the name Karis Teetan has not been heard too often of late. There is also no truth in the rumour that he has given up riding. He unfortunately took a tumble at night racing at Greyville on the 8 th May 2009 at the end of the first race and as he fell his mount stood on the inside of his leg. He has been undergoing intensive physiotherapy and was back in action at the Golden Horse Casino Sprint meeting held at Scottsville on Saturday 30 th May 2009 securing a top win in the first race of the meeting. He subsequently when onto secure another two wins at Turffontein making himself a total of 100 wins well done Karis! Finally we congratulate Vicky Minott who won the apprentice race at this meeting. This was her 49 th winner, and we say to her one more to go girl, break a leg! Best wishes Graham Bailey Some important dates to remember DATE ACTIVITY Friday 26 June 2 nd Term ends Monday 20 July 3 rd Term starts Wednesday 23 September 3 rd Term ends Monday 5 October 4 th Term starts Friday 11 December 4 th Term ends 3
Forthcoming Events DATE EVENT Saturday 20 June SA Jockey Academy Race Meeting at Kenilworth in Cape Town Friday 17 July SA Jockey Academy Race Meeting at Fairview in Port Elizabeth Saturday 22 August SA Jockey Academy Race Meeting at Turffontein in Gauteng Friday 9 August SA Jockey Academy Night Race Meeting at Greyville in Durban A Tribute to Jabulani Mahanyane by Sandra Harrison 1990-2009 On the 4 th of May 2009, Jabulani Mahanyane (19), a second year out of school apprentice jockey at the South African Jockey Academy, sadly took his own life. This tragic news shocked the Board, management, staff and apprentices at the Academy. We convey our sincerest condolences to Jabulani s family and friends. Jabs as he was affectionately known to most of us was a quiet, self-contained individual who brought all of us joy and blessed our lives with his presence. Always a friendly smile on his face that hid the burdens of his heart. How he used to love to laugh and joke with many of us. He was a special person who made a very good friend, as many of you will know. One of the most memorable things about Jabs, was the respect he showed to people. May we take that example to heart and try to live up to it every day. He was meticulously neat, his clothes stored away in perfect order, which won admiration from those around him. His horse s stable was kept immaculately and his horse truly shone. Here are some treasured memories that some of his friends wish to share with us. Always ready for fun, he would participate in a pillow fight and it would be his good nature that would shine through. 4
Justine remembers interrupting his homework by constantly pulling the paper away from him he patiently put up with it. The day he met her granny, although he was hungry, he wouldn t let her make chips but suggested they go to Nandos instead. This is typical of his consideration of others. So many of you have mentioned how willingly he would go the extra mile and help you out whenever he could. He gave many private lessons on the Equicizer to Denies, Luzayn and Julius to mention a few. He enjoyed the braais, the dancing, the music and Athandiwe s special squeaky voice! When working horses for trainer Mr. Gavin van Zyl, JP has a wonderful memory of the two of them together, standing up on their horses and giving each other a high five! These are the good times with Jabs that the Good Lord has given us, and that will never be forgotten. We offer our thanks for his short life and for all the good he has done. He has reminded us that life is sweet and precious let us live it well. May his spirit rest in peace. May his memory be loved. 5
KTV visits the Academy M-Net s highly popular youth programme, KTV visited the Academy to do a short documentary on apprentice jockey training and education. The fun and informative insert will be shown on KTV during the first week of July as a build up to the Vodacom July. KTV presenter, Daniel Whitehorn and cameraman Barrett Harvey were totally blown away by the outstanding work we do and were very impressed with the good behavior of our apprentices. Our riding master Tex Davie explained and presented horse riding instruction at the indoor arena and at our track. Laurence O Donoghue conducted an equisizer demonstration. Sarah Halgreen presented an equine studies lecture to the Grade 12 s and Graham Bailey spoke about our education curriculum that is on offer at the Academy. We would like to take this opportunity to thank KTV for including the Academy in their programming we all cannot wait to see it! KTV presenter, Daniel Whitehorn on the Equisizer Daniel interviewing Teaque, Jaswick and Sanele L-R Juan-Paul, Jonathan, Justine, Daniel, Gareth & Neo Daniel and our Apprentices 6
Apprentice birthdays celebrated during May Denies Lee Sanele Duma Siyabonga Duma Nicolas Planel Here s wishing you guys and gal a very happy birthday!!! Phumelela Gold Apprentice Challenge (August 2008 July 2009) There were two apprentice races held during the month of May and the first race held at the Vaal racecourse in Gauteng was won by special apprentice Meno Melherbe aboard Cradock for Mr. G Woodruff. At this event apprentice Gareth Wright had his first ride in Gauteng and gained the experience of riding on the sand surface. The second race was held at Scottsville racecourse and was won by Cape Town based apprentice Vicky Minott aboard Rothschild Ruby for Mr. D Campbell. This gave Vicky her 49 th winner and she only needs one more win to qualify as a jockey. The points after the 16 races: Pos PHASE ONE Points 1 Karis Teetan 62 2 Derreck David 47 3 Andile Mlaba 46 4 Donavan Mansour 33 5 Victor Morake 25 7 Brandon Lerena (Qualified) 20 8 Timothy Pretorius (Qualified) 19 8 Melishini Pillay 19 10 Davin Coetzee 17 11 Jonathan Soll 16 12 Donavan Howell 11 Apprentice Log Positions to Date for the Current Season (31 May 2009) LOG APPRENTICE WINS PLACES RIDES POSITION 1 Karis Teetan 65 146 505 2 Derreck David 58 190 748 3 Aldo Domeyer 49 175 625 4 Donavan Mansour 33 98 336 5 Donald Bogaleboile 25 63 304 6 Grant van Niekerk 19 35 176 7 Victor Morake 14 78 369 By Robert Moore 7
8 Jonathan Soll 14 25 139 9 Nicola Welch 9 18 120 10 Melishini Pillay 9 13 79 11 Donovan Howell 8 32 232 12 Devin Ashby 6 43 232 13 Gavin Coetzee 6 16 103 14 Andile Mlaba 5 34 214 15 Vicky Minott 4 12 49 By Karla Higgs Apprentice Race Results May 2009 DATE RACECOURSE APPRENTICE RACE RESULTS 01/05/09 Greyville Karis Teetan 3 wins & 3 places Donavan Mansour 1 place 01/05/09 Fairview Donald Bogaleboile 1 win & 2 places Vikram Sola 2 places 02/05/09 Turffontein Tshwaro Appie 1 win (First win well done!!!) Nicola Welch 1 win & 1 place Derreck David 2 places 02/05/09 Kenilworth Grant van Niekerk 1 win Devin Ashby 1 place 03/05/09 Scottsville Jonathan Soll 1 win Gareth Wright 1 place Derreck David 1 place Melishini Pillay 1 place Karis Teetan 2 places 04/05/09 Flamingo Park Nicola Welch 1 win & 1 place Derreck David 2 places Victor Morake 2 places Tshwaro Appie 1 place 05/05/09 Durbanville Devin Ashby 1 place Grant van Niekerk 1 place Vicky Minott 2 places 06/05/09 Scottsville Karis Teetan 1 place Ryan Curling 2 places Donavan Mansour 1 place 07/05/09 Vaal Derreck David 1 win Nicola Welch 1 place Victor Morake 2 places Tshwaro Appie 1 place 08/05/09 Greyville Karis Teetan 1 win & 4 places Donavan Mansour 1 win &1 place Jonathan Soll 1 place Gareth Wright 1 place 08/05/09 Fairview Roby Bheekarry 1 place 09/05/09 Turffontein Derreck David 2 places Evert Pheiffer 1 place 8
09/05/09 Kenilworth Jesen Vyapooree 1 win Aldo Domeyer 1 win & 2 places Grant van Niekerk 1 place 10/05/09 Arlington Donald Bogaleboile 1 win & 1 place Derreck David 1 place 11/05/09 Flamingo Park Derreck David 1 win & 2 places 12/05/09 Kenilworth Grant van Niekerk 2 wins & 2 places Aldo Domeyer 3 places 12/05/09 Greyville Karis Teetan 1 win 13/05/09 Clairwood Athandiwe Mgudlwa 1 place Jonathan Soll 1 place Ryan Curling 2 places 14/05/09 Vaal Derreck David 1 win Donavan Mansour 1 win & 3 places Evert Pheiffer 1 place Tshwaro Appie 2 places Nicola Welch 1 place 16/05/09 Turffontein Derreck David 1 win & 1 place Victor Morake 1 place Evert Pheiffer 1 place 17/05/09 Borrowdale Derreck David 3 wins & 2 places Aldo Domeyer 1 win & 2 places Gavin Coetzee 1 place 17/05/09 Clairwood Donavan Mansour 1 place Juan-Paul vand der Merwe 1 place Gareth Wright 1 place 18/05/09 Flamingo Park Nicola Welch 2 wins & 1 place Derreck David 1 win Tshwaro Appie 2 places Victor Morake 1 place Evert Pheiffer 1 place 19/05/09 Durbanville Vicky Minott 1 win Aldo Domeyer 2 places Grant van Niekerk 1 place Devin Ashby 1 place 20/05/09 Scottsville Donavan Mansour 1 place 21/05/09 Vaal Derreck David 1 win & 3 places Nicola Welch 1 win & 1 place Donavan Mansour 1 place Victor Morake 1 place 22/05/09 Greyville Andile Mlaba 1 place Ryan Curling 1 place 22/05/09 Arlington Donald Bogaleboile 1 win & 4 places 23/05/09 Turffontein Victor Morake 1 win & 2 places Derreck David 1 win & 2 places 23/05/09 Kenilworth Grant van Niekerk 1 win & 1 place Jesen Vyapooree 1 win Aldo Domeyer 3 places Vicky Minott 3 places 24/05/09 Clairwood Gareth Wright 1 place 9
25/05/09 Vaal Derreck David 1 win & 2 places Tshwaro Appie 1 win & 1 place Nicola Welch 1 place 26/05/09 Kenilworth Grant van Niekerk 1 win Aldo Domeyer 2 places Vicky Minott 1 place 27/05/09 Clairwood Juan-Paul van der Merwe 1 win Donavan Mansour 4 places Melishini Pillay 1 place 28/05/09 Turffontein Derreck David 1 win & 4 places 29/05/09 Fairview Donald Bogaleboile 2 places 30/05/09 Scottsville Karis Teetan 1 win Jonathan Soll 1 win & 1 place Vicky Minott 1 win (49 th win in her apprenticeship well done Vicky!) Andile Mlaba 1 place Grant van Niekerk 1 place Hennie Greyling 1 place Donavan Mansour 2 places 30/05/09 Borrowdale Aldo Domeyer 1 win & 3 places Devin Ashby 1 win & 2 places 31/05/09 Kenilworth Grant van Niekerk 1 win & 1 place Jesen Vyapooree 1 place Vicky Minott 1 place 31/05/09 Turffontein Karis Teetan 2 wins & 1 place (Karis reaches 100 wins well done!) Derreck David 3 wins & 2 places Ending off with a smile An apprentice jockey writes to his parents... Dear Mom and Dad I feel miserable because I have to keep writing for money. I feel ashamed and unhappy. I have to ask you for another hundred rand, but every cell in my body rebels. I beg on bended knee that you forgive me. Your son Jason. P.S. I felt so terrible, I ran after the postman who picked this up in the box at the corner. I wanted to take this letter and burn it. I prayed that I could get it back. But it was too late. A few days later he received a letter from his father. It said - Your prayers were answered my boy, your letter never arrived! Love Dad. The South African Jockey Academy s monthly Newsletter is compiled by Charles Grey Marketing Manager. Tel: 031 7691103. Cell: 082 454 8808. E-mail marketing@theacademy.co.za 10