The South African jockey ranks is set to lose one of its most experienced riders when Gr1 winning multiple regional champion Greg Cheyne and his wife Claire emigrate to the UK in the next few weeks.
Cheyne capped an emotional farewell at his home track Kenilworth on Saturday by producing a superb ride to get Walk Of Fame home for his sponsors Ridgemont Highlands in the Western Province Nomads Gr3 Champagne Stakes, the final Cape feature of the current season – and his penultimate hometown ride.
Greg Cheyne gives our photographer a smile at Kenilworth on Saturday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
A multiple Gr1 winning jockey who includes his 2009 Durban July success on the ill-fated Big City Life and the 2017 Sun Met on Whisky Baron as highlights on his impressive cv, Cheyne, a twice champion jockey in his home province, is set to wrap up his tenth East Cape Champion title when making his swansong appearance at Fairview on Friday 29 July.
Gqeberha has become a second home for the Ridgemont Highlands-sponsored rider who forged one of the most successful 21st century jockey-trainer associations with local champion Alan Greeff over a decade.
Cheyne will be looking to further his career in the UK along with his wife Claire. Both have accepted positions at William Haggas’s Somerville Lodge Stables in the heart of Newmarket.
“We both feel that the time is right for us to further our careers as well as build on our futures. It won’t be my first visit to Newmarket as I have had the opportunity to work with the Kieswetter family’s Met winner, Whisky Baron, while being prepped for the Gr2 Joel Stakes in 2017, as well as riding out for some top local trainers,” Cheyne told the Sporting Post on Saturday.
His accomplished equestrian wife Claire has several courses under her belt, including a Diploma in Equine Physiotherapy and most recently The Diploma in Stud Practice & Management at The National Stud in Newmarket, UK.
Excited about the future – Claire and Greg Cheyne will soon be winging their way to a new life
“Prior to her return to South Africa, she spent a couple of weeks working for leading trainer William Haggas and we are both excited about the prospects in this second phase of our individual careers,” he added.
The Pretoria-born 46 year old, who has ridden over 2300 winners, joined the world renowned SA Jockey Academy in 1991 alongside the now late Alec Forbes, Marcus Samuel and Paul Devlin.
Outside of South Africa, he has ridden in Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Germany, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Macau, winning the Gr1 Malaysia Sprint and the Malaysian International Jockeys Challenge.
He looks set to finish in 7th position on the national log this term with his 111 winners coming at a 15% strike-rate.
“We leave South Africa with mixed emotions, but with a great sense of excitement about the future. We have so many great memories – and a multitude of people to thank. Horseracing is about surrounding oneself with good horses and great people, and in my career I have enjoyed many of both. When it comes to loyalty and hard work, I have tried hard to always give as good as I got, and more. I have so many trainers and owners, as well as various industry professionals to thank. I’d rather not list them all for purposes of this interview. In saying that, I am going to sorely miss working alongside Alan and Glenifer Greeff and their entire team in Port Elizabeth.”
Beyond Saturday’s dream curtain closer, Cheyne has ridden many winners under the Ridgemont Highlands banner over the past 7 years.
Whisky Baron’s big Met win in 2017 – a memorable day! (Pic – Crawford Racing)
“I would like to thank Wayne, Belinda, Craig and Ross Kieswetter, along with Craig Carey of Ridgemont Highlands for their support over seven good years. The prestigious Ridgemont Highlands brand is a major player on the South African horseracing and breeding landscape and I wish them further success in the years ahead.”
He closed by wishing his supporters and fans well and thanked them for their passionate involvement in the sport of kings.
The Sporting Post wishes the Cheynes good fortune and much happiness in their new life abroad.
