Jockey Alec Forbes dies
THE South African racing world was shocked and saddened yesterday by news of the sudden death of popular KwaZulu-Natal jockey Alec Forbes overnight.
He had ridden five horses at Scottsville on Wednesday, winning on Master Of Mischief.
Forbes was 41. He leaves his wife and children Zac, Jordan and Savannah.
Forbes, who was denied admittance to the South African Jockey Academy initially for being too small, rode his first winner on his eighth ride – Don’t Blame Me over 1100m at Scottsville in May 1993 – and since then had won well over 800 races.
They included seven Grade 1s – on Highland Night in the Gold Cup in 2002, Zeeno and Link Man in the Gold Medallion in 2006 and 2010, Val De Ra in the Computaform Sprint and Cape Flying Championship in 2011 and 2012 respectively, Bambina Stripes in the 2012 SA Fillies Classic and Via Africa in the 2013 SA Fillies Sprint.
His most successful day on the winner front was arguably in November 2014 when he booted home five winners, a day he called “incredible”. He finished seventh on the KwaZulu-Natal jockeys’ log last season and nationwide won 45 races from 568 rides.
In other news, Gimmethemoney, who badly injured herself in the stalls on Tuesday, has apparently lost vision in one eye.
Trainer Paul Peter said yesterday she is still hospitalised. -