Chief steward bows out
THE racing fraternity in the Eastern Cape said goodbye to Mike Jones in fine style at Fairview on Friday.
Jones is retiring after a career of 35 years in the sport. He was the chief stipendiary steward in the Eastern Cape for the last 15 years.
The sixth race at the Fairview meeting was named after Jones in honour of his contribution to the sport over many years.
Jones was not doing duty at the meeting but enjoyed the racing in the HB Christian Room with friends and colleagues from Phumelela, the National Horse Racing Authority and the Racing Association.
He did sterling work for all these organisations and said he enjoyed his involvement and that it was good to see the improvement in racing in the province in his time as the chief stipendiary steward.
Jones rates the Fairview turf and polytrack among the best in the country.
The Mike Jones FM 76 handicap for fillies and mares was won by Coastal Spell, owned by well-known breeder Ashley Parker.
Parker said it was appropriate that the winning horse was named Coastal Spell as Jones may now relax at the coast and enjoy a “coastal spell” in his retirement.
East Cape champion trainer Alan Greeff said Jones had a good reputation as a fair man while champion jockey Greg Cheyne described Jones as an absolute gentleman.
They all agreed that he would be sorely missed at Fairview.