Fond farewell for Whyte
– South African Douglas Whyte waved farewell to the most successful race-riding career in Hong Kong history on Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse, bowing out after saluting his fans long after the last race had weighed-in.
The 13-time champion jockey’s final ride did not produce the fairy-tale victory that he and the Sha Tin faithful desired, but the day delivered heart-warming displays of respect and appreciation for a sportsman whose achievements have lifted him high into the pantheon of racing’s legends.
Whyte retires with a Hong Kong career total of 1 813 wins – 894 more than current champion Zac Purton – total stakes money of HK$1,587,210,086.67, which converts into a remarkable R2.772 billion!
He also won multiple Group 1 races and, of course, his defining 13 consecutive premierships (2001-2013). His win strike rate over more than 22 years riding at Happy Valley and Sha Tin stands forever at 14,78%.
The man they call the Durban Demon was “overwhelmed” in particular at the send-off he received from his jockeys’ room colleagues, for so long his unwavering rivals.
“Behind the gates (before the last race) it was quite emotional because the starter, Tony (Speechley), said a few words and all the jocks gave me a hiphip-hooray, so it was a really nice send-off. You get a bit of a lump in your throat but I still had a race to ride,” Whyte said.
Earlier, Whyte received a silver dish and a commissioned painting from the Jockey Club. That came after race four, before a parade ring full of his weighing room colleagues, trainers, media, and family, with a few thousand appreciative spectators looking on.
“That was emotional. Thank goodness they didn’t give me a mic straight away because I wouldn’t have been able to speak. I don’t often cry but possibly I would have,” he said.
“I had my family here – it’s my daughter’s 19th birthday so it’s one of those days where being overwhelmed and enjoyment takes over disappointment. I’m happy and I’m looking forward to the next chapter.”
A group photo with his fellow riders followed – and then the ambush. Vincent Ho and Silvestre de Sousa moved quickly, grabbing Whyte and lifting him into the air as other jockeys moved in, throwing the champ skywards and catching him three times.
“All the guys in the jockeys’ room wanted to do something that was going to be special, something he’d remember the rest of his life,” Umberto Rispoli said. “We discussed with Joao (Moreira) that we’d lift Douglas up and so the signal was that I’d whistle and we’d bring him up.
After the lifting, Rispoli launched the first wave of champagne spray, Ho followed with a second bottle and then Karis Teetan directed a drenching gush of bubbles from the flank; Joao Moreira and de Sousa moved in to pour the bottles’ remnants over the retiring hero whom the Jockey Club has licensed as a trainer for the 2019/20 season.
Purton had set the tone for the celebrations before Whyte stepped out from the Parade Ring wings.
The arch rival went down on one knee and “shoe-shined” the legend’s boots, to the huge delight of watching fans.
And Whyte, who said he is looking forward to perhaps even eating some breakfast in the morning, admitted: “I will tell you that I will enjoy not having to sweat and having to get prepared like I do for race day. It’s mentally draining!” – HKJC.com To take a bet, go to www.tabonline.co.za or www.bettingworld.co.za