RIAR IJC – International replacement made
England’s Hayley Turner to Captain International team as final assignment before retirement.
The Racing. It’s a Rush International Jockeys Challenge which takes place at Fairview Racecourse in Port Elizabeth this Friday 13 November and at
Turffontein, Johannesburg this Saturday 14 November, has seen a last minute change made to the International team with Ireland’s Kieren Fallon being replaced by Francisco Franco da Silva, due to illness.
Da Silva is a Brazilian born 36-year-old lightweight Germany-based rider who weighs in at about 53kg. This year alone he has won more than 30 races
in Germany and has represented Brazil in a jockeys’ international in Dresden.
The Captain of the International team is now England’s Hayley Turner, who has announced that the Racing. It’s a Rush International Jockeys Challenge will be her final assignment, an honour indeed for this event. Other members making up the International team include Pat Cosgrave (Ireland), Robert Havlin (Scotland), Eduardo Pedroza (Panama) and Aurelien Lemaitre (France).
The South African team remains unchanged with last season’s Champion Jockey of the Year, Gavin Lerena, as captain and the other team members being Piere Strydom, S’manga ‘Bling’ Khumalo, Anthony Delpech, Greg Cheyne and Anthony Marcus.
The jockeys will ride in four races at each event. The team that scores the most points wins the Challenge but there are also awards for the top riders
in each of the legs and the top rider overall.
At both events, entrance is free and besides the enthralling international racing, there will also be food stalls, entertainment for the kids and much
more.
Hospitality packages at Turffontein are available, ranging in price from R 425 per person (food only) to R 795 per person (fully inclusive). At Fairview Racecourse various hospitality options are available at R 200 per person.
