Home » Profiles » Love Me – Love My Dog!

Love Me – Love My Dog!

Stakes breakthrough for another Fortune on the up

The absence of the regular big-hitting out-of-town jockeys in the Eastern Cape has created great opportunities for the lesser acclaimed riders.

And a man taking the gap with both hands is one Shadlee Luke Fortune, who registered a career milestone at Fairview last Friday.

The 23 year old Capetonian, who grew up on the unforgiving streets of Elsies River in the Cape, told the Sporting Post that he was grabbing the reins with both hands and was determined to make a serious go of a career that started with his first ever race ride on Kings Gold at Clairwood in September 2013.

Shadlee and his best mate, Bloo

While a genuine Capetonian at heart, Shadlee is loving life in ‘the Bay’ and working hard on building his confidence after sustaining a race-riding injury late last year.

He found himself laid low through the recovery period, and then Covid-19 struck.

“It was a tough few months and a low start to 2020. But I’m glad I moved up here to rebuild. I’m enjoying some good support and the local racing people are warm and hospitable,” adds the rider who has ‘no weight issues’ and goes to scale at 53kgs max.

The animal lover misses one aspect of Cape Town – his beloved ‘baby, Bloo’.

“I love my dog! He is spoilt and I have to phone him now and again. He also watches me ride. As long as the family feed him his cheese every evening, he is content,” he laughs.

At Fairview, Shadlee rides work at the Alan Greeff and Grant Paddock yards, and tells us that he goes wherever else ‘they will have me’.

His two winners last Friday were for Grant Paddock (Varsity Bourbon) and the Alan Greeff feature success with American Princess.

It was Shadlee’s second straight win on the Master Of My Fate filly – and his maiden career stakes success, after he won the Diamond Stayers at Flamingo Park in 2018 on Sea Bean.

Shadlee breaks the stakes ice on American Princess (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)

“American Princess is top-class. She won so well, and she won’t stop here, in my opinion. I looked back on her form and she has won from 1400m to 2400m. So she is above average and she really gives me a great feel,” he added proudly.

He has clearly matured substantially in the seven years since we last chatted, and we had to make sure we weren’t speaking to his Cape champion jockey cousin, Aldo Domeyer, when we rang him.

“Aldo used to let me answer his phone. And most people thought they were speaking to him,” he laughs, as he tells us that he is proud to be associated with the famous Fortune family.

“Being a Fortune has its pro’s and cons. As it probably does in most families. Most of the time people are pleasant. When they aren’t, I remind them that  I am my own person. Now I have to just focus on being half as good as my SA Champion Uncle Andrew and my cousin. I have unlimited ambition and age on my side,” he points out modestly.

Top Cape jockey Aldo Domeyer, who was a massive hit in Hong Kong too, once told us that his younger cousin would do very well and added rather modestly that he ‘reminds me a lot of myself.’

Improving with every race! (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)

Shadlee decided at the age of 6 that he wanted to be a jockey. Uncle Andrew apparently walked in one day after races and the young man looked up at him and said, ‘that’s it!’

The young Fortune completed his junior schooling at Claremont Primary, and then went on to SACS before leaving for the SA Jockey Academy at the end of Grade 9.

He was part of the same intake as Tristan Godden, last Saturday’s Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint winning rider Callan Murray, and Matthew Thackeray.

Shadlee’s first winner came at his 16th ride aboard National Forest for Hekkie Strydom at Fairview.

Cousin Aldo rode in the same race.

“At the pull up I heard somebody screaming my name. I turned and saw Aldo showing me a thumbs up with a broad smile and he couldn’t stop congratulating me and said that he was proud of me. Then my Uncle Granville (Cupido) was on course, as he had a runner on the day. Having them both there to share my joy made the moment for me. It was very emotional,” recalls Shadlee.

Shadlee Fortune steers National Forest to record his first career win (Coastal Photos)

He turns 24 on 26 August and tells us that he enjoys being at home and is no party animal – and says that he is working hard on getting his career on track.

The fact that the local jockeys are getting more chances due to the lockdown are something of a well-timed godsend.

While he wouldn’t be drawn into the discussion that a better balance could be achieved in the riding ranks through curtailing raiding jockeys, he does concede that the fact that the jockeys that are doing the work in the mornings are riding the winners, is a major inspiration and confidence builder.

“Marc Deetlifs will be doing my rides from next season and I am determined to boot home more winners. I’d also love to try and secure a sponsor too – but is that a bit cheeky to ask?” he laughs shyly.

Have Your Say - *Please Use Your Name & Surname*

Comments Policy
The Sporting Post encourages readers to comment in the spirit of enlightening the topic being discussed, to add opinions or correct errors. All posts are accepted on the condition that the Sporting Post can at any time alter, correct or remove comments, either partially or entirely.

All posters are required to post under their actual name and surname - no anonymous posts or use of pseudonyms will be accepted. You can adjust your display name on your account page or to send corrections privately to the Editor. The Sporting Post will not publish comments submitted anonymously or under pseudonyms.

Please note that the views that are published are not necessarily those of the Sporting Post.

8 comments on “Love Me – Love My Dog!

  1. Ingie says:

    Well done shadlee I enjoyed reading your article, hope someone sponsor you.
    Good luck!

  2. Jody says:

    Been waiting for your return to the saddle… Let’s het them hard and bring them home

  3. Riaan van Reenen says:

    Very pleased for Shadlee, he is a hard working young jockey with immense talent and with time and confidence it will all come to the fore, that Fortune blood pumping through his veins will stand him in good stead in future as he matures he will (if not already) become more than what he imagined he could be. Just look at the family, Champion Uncle and soon to be a Champion cousin Aldo, so watch this space as new blood will shine through soon. He rode a perfect mature ride for me on a very difficult filly,State Ballet that needed Andrew’s brilliance to break the maiden after many attempts then Shadlee got on in a high rated hcp and brought her home in great style. Very impressed with the youngster and with a great personality and very well mannered, the worlds your oyster boy. Keep it up. Best regards from Riaan van Reenen

  4. Leonie says:

    Fantastic wish you many many winners your big smile says it all… God bless?

  5. Imtiaz says:

    Well done shadlee both rides on American princess was so brilliant well timed etc it’s so nice seeing the jockeys who put in the hard work at the yards getting the rides on good horses hope it stays like that anyways all the best for the rest of your career…

    1. Editor says:

      Plse add surname Imtiaz

  6. Chad says:

    Good story, all the best and many many more winners shadlee

  7. Asgar Essack says:

    Well done Shadlee and thanks to Sporting
    Post for giving all of you the opportunity
    to express your views to the public.
    Thanks Spotting Post for keeping the public informed about all racing issues

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

‹ Previous

Striker – One More Season!

Next ›

The Sun Always Shines On Deevee!

Recent Profiles

Join The Zac Attack!

Second Hong Kong Derby success

High Five For Rising Star Kelly!

From a quiet start in 2022, to a third place on the log

From ‘Zama-Zama’ to Gr1 Owner

Stinky Pooe's Inspiring Story

Bonji Hits The Highway!

'I love everything about horseracing'

Super Saffie Set For Friday

This girl is on fire!

When You Siya Chance, Take It!

Knock, knock, knocking on Opportunity's door...

The Big 60 Looms For Uncle Mike

South Africa's greatest racing ambassador

Kannemeyer Eyes Another Cape Derby

Letting his horses do the talking

Robbie’s On Solid Footing

Robbie had humble beginnings

Look Who’s Riding In The World Sports Betting Met

A visiting rider jets in for the big day

Kom’s On His Way Back

Kom is bullish about making a go of it again

Vaal Trainer Moves To KZN

It's becoming tough competing against the big guns

Chapter 1 – Mission Accomplished For Rachel!

No fancy cars or changes - life goes on for the champ

Okapi Ladies Race Could Be A Roll Of The Dice!

Okapi Ladies International 2024

Welll-Travelled Conditioner Sets Up In Hong Kong

New challenge for well-travelled Brit

New Cape Challenge For Lunga

New beginnings for passionate horseman

An Owner’s Rule Of Thumb

A chat with Andrew Brand

JP’s Flying Start In Cape

Exciting new beginnings for talented jockey