The six visiting riders taking part in the Air Mauritius International Jockeys’ Challenge touched down at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday.
Frankie – looking for a win
The visitors will be captained by Frankie Dettori, who makes a return for the first time since 2009 and features the likes of Hayley Turner, Pat Cosgrave, Rab Havlin, Fergus Sweeney and Aurelien Lemaitre.
The first leg is at Fairview on Friday.
“Good to be back. I’ve tried to bring a winning team with me and try to win this year because your boys are hard to beat in your own backyard,” Dettori told Racing. It’s A Rush shortly after arriving in South Africa.
The South African team will be led by S’manga Khumalo with Muzi Yeni, Anthony Delpech, Aldo Domeyer, Grant van Niekerk and the in-form Gavin Lerena filling the remaining slots.
SA Captain – S’manga Khumalo
The South African team has a proud history in this competition having won six of the eight renewals.
The one thing that most racegoers are hoping to see at either venue is Dettori’s trademark flying dismount and he’s promised to deliver should he manage to get into the winner’s box.
“If I win a race, of course you will. Hopefully we’ll get that straightened out,” Dettori said in reference to the fact that he’s still to get off the mark in two appearances in this competition. He featured in the inaugural event in 2008 and returned the following year.
“I heard I’ve got one favourite on Friday, not sure about Sunday but there’s time to get organised, get as much information as we can and get ready for the weekend.”
This weekend is also a chance for Turner to return to race-riding and the English jockey admitted that the lure of competing in this event was enough to draw her back.
Hayley Turner
“This is my third time now. I loved it last year, it was brilliant. That was my last ride before I retired and they asked me to come back this year and I couldn’t say no,” Turner said.
“I haven’t been on a winning team either. We are determined to win it this year. Apparently I’ve got some good rides. We’ve got a bit of time to do our homework and fingers crossed,” Turner, recently awarded an OBE by the Queen said before touching on the team format and the difference it makes as opposed to the usual status quo where it’s everyone for themselves.
“You’re a lot happier when you pull up if you don’t finish anywhere but one of your team members win. We all want to win but finishing second isn’t too bad if it’s one of your team members getting up ahead of you.”
