South African jockey Derreck David, who made a dream debut in Singapore last Friday when he won the Kranji feature on Australian trainer Cliff Brown’s charge Poseidon, says South African jockeys who have ridden internationally in the past have paved the way for their compatriots in Asia.
Bartie Leisher
He mentioned his uncle Bartie Leisher, the first SA jockey to ride in Hong Kong, Dougie Whyte, Karis Teetan, Gavin Lerena and Singapore-based Barend Vorster.
“I take my hat off to them. South African jockeys have good reputations – they have left such a mark with their respectful attitudes and their discipline that my reception here has been amazing.”
In fact, Brown had not even heard about David but still put him up on Poseidon in the feature. “He’s a really nice man,” said the 27-year-old jockey who exchanged a few quips with Brown during his first official appearance in the Kranji parade ring and rode a few of the trainer’s horses in work yesterday.
David, ruling champion jockey in Mauritius, tried his hand in Dubai for six weeks from 4 January during the Mauritian off season before being given a six-week contract in Singapore.
“Dubai wasn’t for me this time,” he said. “I never had a big enough stable behind me, although I did ride a few places.”
Derreck David
Unfortunately, an immigration snag resulted in his tenure in Singapore being reduced to just a week but he was thrilled to “just get a foot in the door”.
“I finally got here after waiting a long time,” he said. “I applied three years ago but got the contract to ride for Gilbert Rousset in Mauritius instead.”
He continued: “Singapore is amazing and the people are amazing. The Singapore Turf Club has been professional and accommodating. They’ve given me a highlight of my career.
“These last few days have been magical, although it’ll probably only sink in on Saturday when I’m on the plane back to Mauritius,” said David, who arrived there last Thursday. “I felt like I was floating on air after winning the feature.
“And the win opened doors with a lot of trainers so I’ve picked up quite a few nice rides on Friday night. I’ll only know tomorrow exactly which horses will be running.
“Some trainers have asked me to extend my contract – and the Singapore Turf Club has indicated they could extend it. But I’ve agreed to ride for Gilbert again this year and it would be unprofessional to let him down at the 11th hour, especially after all he’s done for me. So, rather than striking while the iron’s hot, I’m hoping to get into Singapore next year.”
His Mauritius contract has started but Rousset has agreed to allow David to ride in Singapore on Friday night and to start work on Tuesday morning. The first Mauritius meeting is on 26 March.
A consummate professional who sets himself achievable goals, David would like to not only win the Mauritius jockeys’ championship again this year, but also to help Rousset win the trainers’ championship.
“I had a remarkable season last year, riding 47 winners at the 33 race meetings (including a five-timer in July). The stable had 52 winners and finished second by stakes on the trainers’ log to Ramapatee Gujadhur.
“My long-term goal,” he added, “is to ride as many winners in as many countries as possible.”
www.tabnews.co.za
