Chesney van Zyl (photo: supplied)
Chesney van Zyl has long been a fixture in Gauteng as the head of father Gavin van Zyl’s satellite yard, campaigning horses such as The Apache, Slumdogmillionaire, Seal, Along Came Poly, etc at the highest level.
However, Saturday, 5 May 2018 sees him sending out the first runners under his own name and he will be saddling 7 runners on Saturday, including talking horse and Gr2 SA Nursery hopeful, Bold Eagle.
Why now? “My dad initiated it and said it’s the right time for me to go on my own now,” says Chesney. “I’ve been in Johannesburg for 9 years training my dad’s string and have built nice support from people, so it will be nice to put my name to it and try and start something new. I also have to add that it wouldn’t have been possible without the trust and the support from our owners throughout the years of running the yard for my dad.”
“I have a dream start,” he admits. “I’m grateful to my dad for his support and what he’s done for me. I wouldn’t be able to do it – especially having horses of this calibre granted to me so quickly – if I was starting from scratch, so I’m very grateful to him for allowing me to do it.”
“He’s my role model and I’ve learned a lot through working with him and having him and Gareth in Durban gives me an additional advantage as I have the option of sending them horses that might be suited to KZN and vice versa.”
Gavin said, “Chesney has done us very proud as an accomplished all round horseman. He has run our satellite yard in Johannesburg with distinction and I’m so happy to be able to be part of setting him up on his own. Special mention must be made to all our owners that have been very supportive of Chesney, both with me and now going out on his own. I wish him all the success and happiness as he ventures out as an independent trainer and hope he grows from strength to strength.”
Big Day
Is it going to feel different on Saturday? “Definitely,” says Chesney. “There’s nothing like doing things on your own. When it’s someone else’s name on the card, you know the pressures you’ve got, but you don’t know all of it. Knowing it’s all your own now, that’s a lot more to take, especially starting off on a big day. They’re all in feature races and they’re all hyped horses, so I hope they can run their best.”
His brother Gareth famously got off to a flying start on Friday, 28 October 2016, making his very first runner a winner and a little over an hour later, chalking up his first feature success with Celtic Captain in the Listed Jonsson Workwear Michaelmas Handicap.
“I’m hoping I can match him or just get one on the board – fingers crossed!”
Saturday’s Card
SA Nursery hopeful, Bold Eagle (photo: JC Photos)
Chesney is very happy with his card of runners for Saturday. “Obviously the talking horse is SA Nursery runner Bold Eagle who is unbeaten in his three starts to date. He’s a progressive horse who is doing very well back at home and I’m expecting a nice performance from him.”
“Gold Bowl hopeful Just Cruised In won the Gr3 Caradoc Gold Cup on Classic Day and seems like he’s starting to enjoy the marathon trip. With a good draw and a galloping weight of 52.5kgs, I’m expecting a nice run from him.”
Chesney saddles four in the Gr2 SA Oaks – Pilgrim’s Progress, Azkur, Mar Del Sur and African Dynasty. “Mar Del Sur went to the front in the Fillies Classic and got beaten 10 lengths after doing it the hard way. She’s got a good draw on Saturday and I’m hoping that with a change in riding tactics to give her a bit of a chance, she’ll be competitive. She does have a question mark over the trip – every time she’s gone beyond 1400m, she hasn’t put it together and things haven’t gone according to plan. On her work, I do think she will stay, but she will need a bit of luck to go with her.”
“My other three are all badly drawn. Pilgrim’s Progress has possibly been a little disappointing and hasn’t produced what I know she can, but she’s been carrying top weight in a lot of her come back runs, often giving weight to horses that have won 4 or 5. I’m hoping with level weights in her own age group, she’ll be a little more competitive.” The one thing he is not concerned about is her distance suitability, confirming, “She will definitely see out the trip.”
“Azkur hasn’t been herself in the last few starts, but we’re hoping she’s back to her best.”
“African Dynasty ran a nice race in the Oaks Trial. She also runs from a bad draw, but with a bit of luck in running, hopefully she runs a nice race.”
Chesney also saddles Sea Venture in the 1600m Fillies Juvenile Plate and comments, “Her first run was over 1000m, which I think is a bit short. She’s running over 1600m on Saturday and I think will be better suited, so we’re hoping for a bit of luck.”
Chesney had a productive 2018 National Yearling Sale and although most of his purchases are already spoken for, he does still have small shares available in a Jackson filly as well as an Ideal World colt for anyone interested in joining the yard.
