The Apprentices of the South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) performed excellently over the past weekend! The weekend kicked off on a high note on Friday night in Kimberley, with Mathew Thackeray being awarded the Northern Cape Champion Apprentice Title. Gauteng Jockey Academy Riding Master, Gary Waterston, deserves special praise for arranging that not only where Mathew’s proud parents at the awards ceremony but all his fellow Gauteng Apprentices as well!
At Greyville Racecourse on Saturday the Apprentices closed off the racemeeting by winning the last three races. Serino Moodley won the 8th Race aboard “ARGO’S JET”, trained by Andre Nel. Diego De Gouveia won the 9th Race aboard “PEARL EMBLEM”, trained by Paul Lafferty, which was an extra special victory for the young apprentice, as him Mom and Sister were at the racecourse, having driven down from Johannesburg to celebrate his 20th Birthday with him on Sunday. Tristan Godden won the 10th and final Race aboard “ROY’S RAKA”, trained by Kom Naidoo.
On Sunday at Turffontein the Apprentices won a further two races, with Mpumelelo Mjoka winning the 2nd Race aboard “PURPLE ROSE”, trained by Sean Tarry. The 4th Race was The Apprentice Handicap, which was won by Calvin Ngcobo aboard “BRIGHT BRONTE”, trained by Joe Soma.
South African Jockey Academy Principal, Graham Bailey, was full of praise for the Academy Riding Department saying “the success achieved by our Apprentices this past weekend is due to the tireless efforts of the Riding Department and the Riding Masters who work continously to improve the riding ability of our Apprentices!”