A little over a year ago, I discovered the racing channel on DSTV.
In the top right hand corner was this picture of a young man with “6 to go” written across it.
Beverley Hibbert writes in the Sporting Post Mailbag that she wondered what this meant, and only some days later, when it said “4 to go” and the tellytrack presenters, who can prattle on and on and ON about crap, finally said something of interest, 4 to go to equal the apprentice wins held by Gavin Lerena.
I became intrigued and sat watching racing.
I witnessed this young man equal and then surpass the record, and go on to score an incredible 453 wins by the end of his apprenticeship – a record I hope stands for longer than the one held by Muis.
This young man is Lyle Hewitson.
He broke the record of a jockey I had grown up watching, Muis Roberts, one of the greatest of all time.
I was impressed. I liked the gentle way Lyle rode, I liked his style, and, even more so, this young man was so humble.
You could see in every interview, the humbleness, gratitude to trainers, owners, teams back at the yards, his sponsor.
This was a young man so beautifully raised, and a shout out here to his mom and dad, that I seriously got behind him and tried to watch as often as I could when he rode.
I cheered him on, celebrated his wins, got upset at the “nostril” losses, but at every turn admired the way he carried himself.
Lyle Hewitson and his friend and colleague, Callan Murray
I, along with many, was upset when it was announced he was injured and required surgery at the start of the 2018/2019 season.
Two months later, he was back with a bang, and has ridden an incredible 10 months of races.
A superbly fought battle with Muzi Yeni made for exciting, exhilarating yet heart stopping moments over the past couple of months.
Both these young men have done more for racing in the past few months, than has been done in a long time.
I hope that potential sponsors come aboard and help lift the sport. I am not a fan of the whip/crop/stick, but I know it has its uses and it doesn’t often get abused, although the “hands and heels” races have shown it isn’t really necessary.
Lyle, as you step out onto the world stage and take up your 6 months contract in Hong Kong, my wish for you is great rides, wins, places, to continue to build on the brilliant name you have in South Africa and to show the world what you are made of.
To stay the humble young man your proud parents raised you to be, and to always, always, put the horse first.
After all, without the horse, man is nothing. Be amazing, be incredible, be the winner we know you to be.
