The Ferraris family name is etched into the major race fabric of South African horseracing but an ordinary Tuesday afternoon at the Vaal turned into a double celebration for them when young apprentice Luke Ferraris rode the first winner of his short career and ended the day on a double – both winners for his legendary grandfather Ormond!
Luke, David and Ormond Ferraris (photo: Candiese Marnewick)
The son of Hong Kong-based David had his first two rides under a bit of pressure in the presence of three generations of the racing mad family at Scottsville on Sunday, 3 December 2017. His parents, David and Pam travelled from Hong Kong and grandfather, Ormond made the trip from Johannesburg.
Just over four months down the line, the young man with an equine pedigree of note, turned on the charm when booting home 22-1 first-timer Vivir in the first and 18-1 shot Cool Dream in the last race of the day.
The 4kg claimer has only had 28 rides to date.
His Dad David, who relocated to Hong Kong in 2003/4, told the Sporting Post in December that Luke always only wanted to be a jockey.
David watched the racing today live from the TBA Sales Complex in Germiston
“Ever since he was a little boy, he was fearless on a horse. I remember him galloping up the beach at Zimbali. I think he must have been 3 or 4 years old and he was going flat out, waving his arms at us,” he chuckles proudly. “He just always wanted to be a jockey. It got so bad, he used to put a saddle on our leather couch.”
