A thrilled Richard Fourie paid tribute to Anthony Delpech and mentioned that it was an honour to have taken the mantle from a real worldwide champion.
Richard mentioned that he might by no means have achieved the record-breaking goal with out the help of a ‘staunch group’ of fantastic folks behind him.
“Regardless of how good a rider you might be, one can not do it with out the horse. Meaning the unflinching help of householders and trainers countrywide. Then my sponsors Successful Kind have been a significant boon by way of morale, encouragement, and incentive help, and all the time saved the fires of curiosity and fervour burning brightly. Thanks a lot to Hollywood for placing up the R1 million bonus. This was by no means in regards to the cash for me, but it surely’s created large public curiosity and racing followers from Fairview to the Vaal have actually and actually purchased in with enthusiasm.”
Richard added that he couldn’t presumably start to call all of the people that who had made a distinction, as he clocked up the air miles in his nationwide quest for winners. However he selected to say a handful.
“All those who made a distinction and had been part of this file know who they’re. I’m eternally grateful, however on the similar time I’d wish to applaud my agent Ken Nicol, who has been totally different class. His perception and data has meant that I used to be typically using the correct horses. Then Gavin Govender in KZN, who fetched and carried, and allowed me to fulfill my commitments with minimal stress, and whereas resting. Alan Greeff in Gqeberha has been a significant contributor to my tally, and using for Halo Stables has been a gamechanger within the scheme of issues. Then my fantastic Mother, and my Uncle Billy in Johannesburg. And my lovely household, and my very supportive accomplice Andrea, who’ve pushed me and sacrificed down-time to permit me to pursue the dream,” he added emotionally.
Final season Keagan De Melo gained the nationwide title with 277 winners from 1434 mounts at a win common of 19.3%. Richard Fourie was runner-up there with 258 winners from 1170 rides at a win strike charge of twenty-two.1%.
Within the 2022/23 time period, de Melo fell in need of the Delpech file by 57 winners, whereas Fourie was 76 brief.
Requested whether or not he ever thought it could take him 23 years to win the nationwide title as he walked via the doorways of the SA Jockey Academy again in 2001, alongside Raymond Danielson, Muzi Yeni, Keanan Steyn and Gavin Lerena, Richard nonchalantly responded: “You already know, I’ve by no means truly chased the title earlier than.”
He went on to say that he has all the time tried to keep up a steadiness in his life between work and residential.
“Chasing the file and titles requires huge sacrifices. However in direction of the tip of final season I believed that as I’m not getting any youthful, let me give it a shot. The Hollywoodbets incentive has been a large bonus and I’m actually lucky to be the recipient,” he mentioned.
Having ridden his first winner on Groovy Child for Dennis Bosch at Scottsville on 8 July 2003, Richard’s first Grade 1 winner got here as an apprentice when he obtained the Glen Kotzen-trained Badger’s Present dwelling to beat Jeff Lloyd and the champion Solar Classique within the TBA Gr1 Paddock Stakes on New 12 months’s day of 2007.
Fortunate Lad’s sensational victory within the Gr1 Golden Horse Dash was his fiftieth profession Grade 1 winner and his fifth of the season. Whereas Richard begs to vary, many have labelled it the trip of the season.
“I don’t assume I precisely shone and that was hardly my finest trip. He’s a wonderful horse and may have gained the Golden Horse by many lengths. Let’s simply say I imagine I’ve produced higher rides this season,” he laughed.
On his highlights of the season, Richard mentioned that whereas each winner counted, he needed to single out Princess Calla’s brave win within the Majorca, Thunderstruck’s scintillating effort within the Computaform Dash, and Fortunate Lad snatching victory from the jaws of defeat within the Senor Santa Stakes, as rewarding moments that he would cherish when wanting again on his pinnacle time period.
When requested to appoint a season disappointment, he was fast to appoint lacking the chance to trip Bless My Stars for Sean Tarry within the WSB Cape City Met.
“There have been journey restrictions that prevented her participation. She’s a improbable filly and Mr Tarry had her in area. That was a blow,” he added.
Hollywoodbets-sponsored coach Garth Puller, a legend of the saddle for many years, paid tribute to Richard Fourie, and mentioned that it was an incredible achievement that spoke volumes of his dedication, dedication, work ethic, and, most significantly, his ‘racing mind’.
“That affinity with the horse and his ‘racing mind’ units Richard aside and makes him a considering jockey. That’s an important asset in his match profitable make-up. He doesn’t trip on the minimal weight, and properly didn’t chase the sunshine rides both. So he all the time got here racing at full power, albeit barely fatigued from the journey. He has focussed on clear using and luckily was accident-free, which is a blessing too. Taking the leap of religion to show down an enormous job on the highly effective Snaith steady to chase the title and the file additionally took buckets of braveness. I want to doff my cap and say nice respect additionally to Anthony Delpech, whose private excellent achievement in a unique period will all the time have a spot as a chapter within the historical past books,” concluded Puller.
SA Champion coach Justin Snaith is the person who gave Richard Fourie his early alternatives in a strong yard, and sarcastically his record-breaker in the present day!
“Many criticised me when giving the then younger and inexperienced jockey the chance to trip solely for our steady. However I by no means regretted that call for a second. In racing, luck is the dividend of sweat. I imagine that jockeys principally don’t realise that the extra you sweat, the luckier you get. Richard grew to become a champion on account of his perspective, dedication and flawless temperament, and he has mastered his craft. The best way during which he respects and cares for his horses is what I like essentially the most – he’s a really variety rider. Frankly, he’d maintain his personal wherever on the earth,” added Justin Snaith.
Sean Tarry, who saddled Richard’s half century of Grade 1 winners when Fortunate Lad gained the Golden Horse on 1 June, mentioned that the file achievement was simply reward for the dedication and vigour with which Richard approached his aim.
“There’s a saying that perspective determines altitude. And Richard definitely demonstrated that this season. He’s a rider who doesn’t attempt to discover a motive why he cant win, and approaches all the things positively, all the time going on the market to do his finest. A refreshing perspective and I’m not stunned that he has set the brand new benchmark. My congratulations and finest needs to him,” added the previous a number of SA champion.
One of many biggest jockeys this nation has ever produced, internationally revered champion Michael Roberts mentioned that the dedication, focus and laborious work that this file took, was ‘completely huge’.
“It simply goes to point out what you possibly can obtain when placing your thoughts to one thing! I hope different jockeys will take a leaf out of Richard’s ebook. I noticed him heading in the right direction some days, and he appeared drained. However then he’d bounce again and trip winners. We’re very happy with him and I lengthen my congratulations to him and need him the perfect,” mentioned Roberts.
Richard Fourie has ridden over 100 of his winners this time period within the Jap Cape, and native a number of champion coach Alan Greeff mentioned that the Carletonville-born rider has proven single-minded focus and dedication.
“Richard set himself a aim and has displayed true professionalism in his quest to set a brand new benchmark. He’s the consummate skilled and has balanced his journey with brief breaks, whereas additionally sacrificing worthwhile household time. It’s a privilege for us to have been part of the superb journey,” mentioned Greeff.
KZN weighing room colleague Athandiwe Mgudlwa mentioned that Richard Fourie is a jockey that fellow professionals admired and appeared as much as.
“Richard is a person of character and a jock of huge means. It should be mentally and bodily draining to do what he has achieved with such polish and aplomb. He’s simply so focussed and the secret is that he makes much less errors than most of us. I imagine his file, no matter quantity he ends on this season, will endure past our lifetime. I’m honoured to name myself a colleague of this champion human being and salute him,” mentioned the Sporting Put up-sponsored rider.
A number of previous SA champion jockey Piere Strydom mentioned that the truth that Richard Fourie had began the season slowly makes the brand new file much more exceptional and meritorious.
“Richard has had a season like no person earlier than him, with Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3 winners within the combine. With over seven weeks left of this season, it’s tough to see anyone ever surpassing his new mark. He’s an incredible rider and I can solely want him each success into the long run,” mentioned Strydom.
There have been whispers of a potential Hong Kong season forward for our champion elect. Richard simply smiles when requested whether or not he would return to the highest notch jurisdiction the place he as soon as rode 34 winners, together with attaining a Grade 2 victory.
The interest fisherman, whose greatest catch stays a 97kg Yellowfin Tuna, says that he’ll most likely be calling Jakes at Merely The Greatest Charters, and also will be spending a little bit of time with the folks closest to him.
So the place to now for the person who lives by the maxim that one ought to do unto others, as you’d have them do unto you?
“I’ll maintain at it. I’m too invested on this season to not go all the best way and lift the bar once more!”
So which means extra potential Grade 1 wins, and everyone is asking who Richard Fourie will trip within the Hollywoodbets Durban July on 6 July, as he bids for his fourth win within the massive one?
“I’ve focussed on clocking up the numbers, slightly than on Grade 1 rides, so 5 is nice – I’d clearly like to make it 5 extra! It’s most likely too early to speak about my Hollywoodbets Durban July trip at this stage. I’m clearly very eager to win Africa’s Best race, and am very lucky to have a number of choices at this stage.And thanks once more to all of the followers – the excitement right here at Hollywoodbets Greyville in the present day was one thing else! I really feel extraordinarily proud to have achieved this file. Because of all those who made it occur!”
