Gerrit Schlechter (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Cape based jockey Gerrit Schlechter has been conspicuous by his absence from our race cards since 5 September 2015.
His problems started back in June 2015, when he was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc. After a three month break, he returned to work on 5 September, managing one of his carded rides before being re-injured his the way to the start on True Brave.
The intervening months have been something of an exercise in frustration for the 50 year old and it looks as though things will remain on hold for the foreseeable future. He explains “When I went for a check-up, they saw that the original injury hadn’t healed properly. While I was there, the doctor sent me for a bone density scan and they’ve found that I have osteoporosis and arthritis in my lower back.”
Gerrit is currently receiving treatment, but it is likely to be at least six months before he can make a decision on the way forward. He thanked the public for their concern and has promised to keep us posted on any progress.
Gerrit Schlechter won the 2006 Vodacom Durban July aboard Dean Kannemeyer charge Eyeofthetiger as well as the 2011 J & B Metropolitan on Past Master for the Darryl Hodgson yard. He has been Cape Town’s champion jockey 5 times.
We wish him a speedy recovery.
