Jockeys striving to make their bit of Durban July history

Mike Moon

There is no horse race any South African jockey wants to win more than the Vodacom Durban July. And there is even more incentive than usual for several in this year’s epic at Greyville on Saturday.

If Jeff Lloyd wins it on Made To Conquer it will be one of the most emotional moments in the 121year history of the race. For the six-time South African champion jockey – nicknamed “The Guv” – it would be a first victory in 26 attempts, stretching back to 1984 when he rode Bodrum into third place behind Devon Air.

That was the first of an amazing 11 thirds in the July for Lloyd. He has never finished second, let alone first.

The fact that Lloyd began his career in Durban, that he is returning after many successful years riding in Australia and that he is about to retire from the saddle, will all add poignancy to a victory. And, at 56, he’ll become the oldest jockey to win the July.

Throw in his miraculous recovery from a stroke in 2013 – to go on and land two Queensland jockey championships – and you have a script fit for Hollywood.

But no-one will hand The Guv

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any favours on the day.

At the other end of the age scale, 20-year-old Lyle Hewitson is trying to become the first apprentice jockey to register a July victory since Alan Reid on Naval Escort in 1969.

The country’s phenomenal champion jockey in-waiting partners Tilbury Fort, one of the “dark horses” in the line-up.

Hewitson’s good friend Callan Murray, 21, climbs aboard wellfancied Majestic Mambo and he will also be determined to become the youngest victor in many years.

There’s one record they won’t be breaking, though. The youngest winning July jockey was Fred McGrath on Collet in 1922 – at the age of 12!

Two other jockeys are bidding to set a momentous record: five July winners.

Four men have four victories to their names: Harold “Tiger” Wright, Anthony Delpech, Anton Marcus and Piere “Striker” Strydom.

Wright’s winners came in the 1940s and 1950s – Silver Phantom, Brookhill, Milesia Pride and Preto’s Crown. The other quadruples were a lot more recent.

Delpech – Classic Flag (1998), Greys Inn (2004), Bold Silvano (2010) and Igugu (2011) – is currently recovering from a serious injury and won’t be riding on Saturday.

But Marcus – Dancing Duel (1993), El Picha (2000), Dunford (2005) and Hunting Tower (2007) – and Strydom – London News (1996), Trademark (2001), Pomodoro (2012) and The Conglomerate (2016) – will be lining up that elusive fifth triumph.

Marcus rides Do It Again and Strydom Abashiri, both horses in with big chances and quoted in the betting at 6-1 and 10-1 respectively.