Kuru back on Des De Jeu after media whirl
Twelve months on and Kuru still can’t believe it.
Today’s Awapuni race meeting marks 12 months since jumps jockey Aaron Kuru and steeplechaser Des De Jeu became the talk of the racing world and the duo will be reunited when they contest the LJ Hooker Manawatu Steeplechase (4200m).
The low-key rider became a media sensation after staging one of the most remarkable comebacks ever witnessed on a racecourse.
Kuru and Des De Jeu fell at the first of 13 jumps to seemingly extinguish his prospects in a maiden steeplechase.
But showing incredible horsemanship, Kuru was able to keep hold of the horse’s reins and remount the jumper as he scrambled to his feet. Despite losing more than 10 lengths, the pair went on to win by half a length.
Video and images of Kuru’s spectacular feat traversed the world on both traditional and social media and the usually reserved horseman was thrust into the spotlight.
“It was all a bit of a blur really,” Kuru said.
“It was the first race of the day but I didn’t really reflect too much on what happened because I had the Awapuni Steeplechase and Hurdles coming up.
“I was focused on those two races but after that I had time to reflect on what happened and it obviously didn’t hit me at first but it was a great feeling.
“I enjoyed it more because my main supporter, Paul Nelson, didn’t have a single runner there but I still managed to ride two winners and two seconds on the day.”
Kuru was initially overwhelmed by the public interest in the story and the 27-year-old went to ground for a few days.
“I had no choice but to turn my phone off for a few days,” he said.
“It absolutely buggered my phone, it went berserk. Luckily [fellow jumps jockey] Matt Cropp and I went out hunting the next day and it took my mind off things.”
Although not a natural media performer, Kuru was the subject of numerous radio and television interviews
It absolutely buggered my phone, it went berserk. Aaron Kuru
across Australia and New Zealand and said the publicity was good for the sport he loves.
“I didn’t really want to do it but going forward it put New Zealand jumps racing on the map and in a good light as well,” he said.
“I’ve got a lot of mates that live around the world and a lot of their friends didn’t realise there was jumps racing in New Zealand. As a result we have had a few more point to point riders that were interested in coming to New Zealand, so that has got to be a positive.”