IT’S A RUSH International Jockeys’ Challenge
A team of top international jockeys will face off against the cream of South Africa’s riders.
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – A team of top international jockeys will face off against the cream of South African riders in the two-day RACING IT’S A RUSH International Jockeys’ Challenge on November 13 and 14.
Ruling champion jockey Gavin Lerena will lead the South African team.
The International Jockeys’ Challenge comprises four races each at meetings at Fairview in Port Elizabeth on Friday and Turffontein on Saturday.
There is a ballot for mounts in each of the races and runners are seeded beforehand in an attempt to ensure both teams have roughly the same caliber of riders.
Points are awarded as follows: first – 30; second – 15; third – 12; fourth – 10; fifth – eight; sixth – seven; seventh – six; eighth – five; ninth – four; tenth – three; eleventh – naught; twelve – naught. If a jockey does not ride in a race, he gets seven points.
The team that scores the most points wins the Challenge and there are awards for the top rider in each leg and the top rider overall.
South Africa has won five of the seven International Jockeys’ Challenges since the concept was reintroduced by Phumelela and the Racing Association in 2008.
The South African riders are Gavin Lerena, Greg Cheyne, Anthony Delpech, S’manga Khumalo, Anton Marcus and Piere Strydom.
The international riders are Francisco Franco da Silva – Brazil; Pat Cosgrave – Ireland; Robert Havlin –Scotland; Aurelien Lemaitre – France; Eduardo Pedroza – Panama and they will be captained by retiring Hayley Turner.
