Karl Zechner steers Zambucca to a smooth win in the 2012 Gr2 Victory Moon Stakes
At 28 years of age, reigning Zimbabwean champion jockey Karl Zechner is South Africa’s most improved rider. The ‘Zechner Machine’ owes the turnaround in his fortunes to his own determination and natural ability – and to an agent who lives, eats and sleeps the King’s game.
Desmond ‘Zacpack’ Zackey is the muscle behind the Zechner revival – in more ways than one.
Karl Zechner – getting better with every season
The powerfully-built Benoni resident, who celebrates his 43rd birthday on Saturday 19 September, has made a profession and passion of sports management and Karl couldn’t be in much better hands.
The racing genes abound and Desmond loves the game – his uncle is top trainer Tyrone Zackey and SA champion apprentice Craig Zackey is his cousin’s son. He is proud of both.
We wanted to clarify the Zacpack bit before we went on.
“I used to do body-building. But I was diagnosed with sugar diabetes four years ago. When you are at full throttle and illness knocks you out of the saddle, it is very difficult to get back,“ he says ruefully.
Unbridled energy is Desmond’s other middle name – and he bounces back quickly.
Admiration
Desmond with his former charge Richard Fourie – who has gone on to great things and is now based in Hong Kong
Hong Kong-based Richard Fourie’s former agent says he admires the men whose careers he follows so closely and plays an active part in – Karl Zechner, Devin Ashby and his adopted son, a ‘non-jockey’ by the name of Ryan Chapman, who scored for the high-riding Golden Arrows in their brilliant 2-1 victory over Sundowns at the Chatsworth Stadium last Saturday.
Ryan left a trail of destruction – Sundowns’ former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane had to be escorted by heavily armed police from angry fans baying for his blood after the game.
Desmond with Devin Ashby, who rode a long-priced winner at Durbanville on Saturday
Ryan falls under Mike Makaab’s Prosport International. Desmond is pleased to have Mike looking after the soccer side as he is focussed on the gee gees, and is busy all day with monitoring entries, nominations and looking for rides.
Devin Ashby had a short stint up in Joburg and rode a well-timed winner at Durbanville on Saturday.
“He is a young guy. Very underrated. It is difficult making a go of it in Joburg when your wife is in the Cape. He just needs the support,” suggests Desmond.
On The Map
He is looking for other jockeys to manage and his record with Zechner has put him on the map.
The statistics don’t lie.
Thumbs Up – Desmond and Karl Zechner
Karl Zechner had ridden just 11 winners in the 2011 season when he joined the Zacpack team – a move that rejuvenated his fledgeling career.
He improved to 44 winners in 2012; 52 in 2013 – and 93 (22 of which were in Zim) last season.
Karl, who goes to scale at 52 kgs, was born in Zimbabwe of German descent and has been around horses for most of his life.
He joined the SA Jockey Academy in 2003 and enjoyed character-building years there with the likes of Aldo Domeyer, Keagan Latham, Andrew Nienaber, Jarred Samuel, Graham Gregorowski, Devin Habib and Devin Ashby.
Sham Support
He is currently leading the PE jockey log and is at joint fifth on the National log.
As for Zimbabwe. Desmond says he is disappointed that the meeting clash with Turffontein on 26 July had cost Karl his contract.
“But we will be back in Zimbabwe by this Sunday. Just watch this space – and I am looking at options to break into KZN again too.”
Desmond believes in Zechner’s ability and says his retiring personality is a complementary factor.
“Under a driving ride and with the crop in his left hand, there are few guys around with more value than Karl for his 52kgs. And his philosophy is to ensure that every owner and trainer he rides for gets the optimum out of his effort. Whether it be first or fifth. He is such a humble guy too. That makes a difference on its own in a game where action speaks louder than words,” he says proudly.
Karl Zechner will marry Lauren O’Reilly on 21 November. What price Desmond for best man?
