Search
where the horse is always the hero
Article Item
Posted 2018-05-22 16:17:45  
Apprentice Gates Apologises Unreservedly

Apprentice Jason Gates apologises unreservedly for the negative comments that have been made about him in the media. Jason says “I’ve had a lot of time to think about what happened and I’m really sorry for what has happened! Firstly, I would like to apologise to Mr Van Zyl, I should have come to work my ride for him and I didn’t. I’m very sorry for what I’ve done and fully understand why he took me off the ride. I hope that in future I can prove to him that I’m not lazy and hopefully once I’ve done that, he will give me a second chance.”
Jason is also very embarrassed that his mistake, and the negativity that has followed from it, has resulted in all his fellow apprentices being tainted with the same brush! Jason explains “it’s bad enough that I let Mr Van Zyl and myself down, but it really troubles me that all my fellow apprentices have been called lazy and the Academy’s name has been dragged through the mud! It’s tough at the Academy and while we are competitive, all the apprentices are friends! So I would like to say, to all the Apprentices that I am truly sorry for what I’ve done and that you have been called lazy, it’s not fair at all, as I know how hard you work to try and become the best jockey possible. I also want to apologise to Mr Carlisle, Mr Bailey, the Riding Masters and all the other staff at the Academy! I know how hard everyone works at the Academy and I’m grateful for the opportunity I have been given.”
Jason also said “I want to thank Mr Van Zyl for replacing me with fellow apprentice, Khanya Sakayi, he rode an excellent race and won! I’m glad the owners didn’t suffer from my mistake and that Khanya, benefitted from my error.” Jason also wanted to recognise all those that supported him during this tough time saying “I would also like to thank all those people who didn’t lose faith in me and have supported me during this tough time, especially Richard Fourie, Mr Kotzen and Mr Nel! I have been working very closely with top jockey Richard Fourie and we have been working a lot of horses together in Mr Kotzen’s string that is here for the season. I’ve have learnt so much, riding work with Richard Fourie for Mr Kotzen, that while we were working on the bend, it completely slipped my mind that I need to go work my ride for Mr Van Zyl. I know this is a rookie mistake and it won’t happen again! Mr Nel is my mentor at the Academy and no matter what mistakes I make, he always keeps me motivated and tries to ensure that I give my best in everything I do.”
Although Jason is clearly embarrassed and remorseful about his mistakes, he hopes that he can learn from them and not make the same ones in the future. Jason laments “I know over the past few weeks I’ve made a lot of mistakes and let myself and trainers down. But I’m going to do my best to not make these mistakes anymore and try and become the best jockey I can!”


 

Rate:
Email link to a friend | Printable Version
  • S. A Jockey Academy News
    Displaying 10 ResultsSee All
    the apprentices ready to take on the three apprentice races today at vaal racecourse.2021-06-24

    Jeffrey Syster won Race 1 aboard JET CAT trained by Heinrich van der Westhuizen.    Gabr...

    View | Add Comment
    wiseman njokwe and mfanelo zuma chosen to attend the british racing school in new market 2020-02-07

    Congratulations to Wiseman Njokwe and Mfanelo Zuma who have been selected by the riding department t...

    View | Add Comment
    awards galore as jockey academy celebrate another great year 2019-12-09

    The South African Jockey Academy Awards Day was held in the Summerveld Clubhouse on Friday in anothe...

    View | Add Comment
    1st winner for apprentice gabriell pieterse2019-10-30

    Gabriell Pieterse, a 2nd year apprentice at the South African Jockey Academy, rode his 1st winner ...

    View | Add Comment
    become a jockey - saja recruitment 2019-06-18

    SAJA Apprentice Recruitment Starts on Friday The South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) will be commen...

    View | Add Comment
    syster makes his debut at scottsville2019-05-24

    Jeffrey Syster, a 2nd year Apprentice at the South African Jockey Academy, who is currently based at...

    View | Add Comment
    meet jeffrey syster2019-05-17

    Jeffery Syster is a 21 year old, 2nd year Apprentice at the South African Jockey Academy, who re...

    View | Add Comment
    pieterse makes his debut at the vaal2019-04-17

    Gabriell Pieterse, a 2nd year Apprentice at the South African Jockey Academy, who is currently bas...

    View | Add Comment
    dicken and maharaj to british racing school2019-03-26

    South African Apprentice Jockeys Cole Dicken and Tyrell Maharaj will be jetting off to the British...

    View | Add Comment
    saja apprentice recruitment starts today2019-03-22

    The South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) will be commencing its 1st Round of Recruitment Assessments ...

    View | Add Comment