Young jockey sets sights on major dreams
PORT Elizabeth-born apprentice jockey Lyle Hewitson has taken the South Africa horse racing scene by storm and aims to make it big in Hong Kong one day.
The 19-year-old Hewitson recently collected his 100th career win in the space of only eight months after signing on as a professional apprentice.
He has already set the record for the fastest 20th, 40th, 60th and 100th winners in South African history as an apprentice.
The former St Dominic’s Priory learner has ridden in the Durban July, which was a fantastic achievement as a first-year apprentice.
“I really would like to be in Hong Kong in a couple of year’s time – the sooner the better,” Hewitson said.
“Hong Kong is the pinnacle of racing in terms of money and quality. It’s by invite only or application, and to be accepted in Hong Kong where only the best get in would be such an honour.
“I finished my matric last year and I signed my papers to be an apprentice jockey only in March this year.
“So I have been riding just over eight months and I have finished riding my 100th winner.
“I am a professional apprentice so I have to do a three-year apprenticeship before I sign my papers and become a fully fledged jockey.”
So how did this love for horse racing begin?
“I was raised into the horse industry. My mom was an enthusiast in terms of riding as she played polocrosse.
“My dad is an ex-jockey and both my sisters did showjumping.
“So, horses are generally in my blood and through my dad’s side I got involved in racing,” he smiled.
Hewitson started riding horses aged 10 and two years later he played polocrosse for Team South Africa.
“I started riding work around the same time. I used to ride race horses at work and when I turned 15 I rode in my first amateur race.
“I rode amateur races for two years before going to the SA Jockey Academy to sign my papers and ride professionally.”
The enthusiastic jockey recently took part in the International Jockey Challenge at Fairview and Turffontein.
There he had the opportunity to share the jockey room with top international and local jockeys such as S’manga Khumalo, captain of Team SA, and renowned jockey Frankie Dettori. “It was really a privilege to be sharing a jockey room with the top international and local jockeys,” Hewitson said.
“I watched their mannerisms and the way they carry themselves, so I learnt a lot in terms of that.
“I was not necessarily speaking oneon-one to them but just the way they do things, I learnt a lot and I took that out of it.
“I was fortunate enough to be in Dubai early this month and also sat among the some of the top jockeys there. So this month has been really great for me to learn from the best.”
Being a jockey means you have to watch what you eat and also watch your weight. So morning jogs and extensive riding are part of the job.
“I am a heavy rider . . . I will battle with my weight in time. To keep fit I do riding work pretty much every morning five times a week.”
Hewitson says racing is not just a career he just happened upon . . . it is something that he really loves.
“What I love about it is obviously winning, and winning big races is a lovely part of it.
“But I think it all boils down to getting the best out of horses and getting along with horses. It’s really something special building a relationship with one or two really good races and that is what I love about it.”
Now based in Johannesburg, Hewitson says this year he is going for the champion apprentice title.
“I would also like to finish in the top seven on the jockeys log and supercede 100 winners.”