From Coetzee to Hewitson help and advice

FORMER champion jockey Felix Coetzee said he would be quite happy to offer advice and help to Lyle Hewitson.

The current South African champion has been battling since arriving in Hong Kong and at the time of writing, had only ridden one winner since the beginning of the season in August.

“I met Lyle early on but I have not spoken to him in quite a while,” said the former three-time SA champion. Coetzee spent 13 years riding in Hong Kong and currently holds the post of riding master at the academy in that country.

On Monday Coetzee was a the Snaith Racing beach fest where he rode one of their horses.

“I would be quite happy to give Lyle advice and provide him with assistance,” he said. He added that while he knows Hewitson is keen to continue riding in Hong Kong, he faces the possibility of not having his licence renewed unless he rides more winners.

“A lot will depend on whether they have any new jockeys they want to bring in and whether there are any other jockeys leaving.”

Coetzee has an agreement that he spends two months in Hong Kong and one month in South Africa.

“My daughter is with me in Hong Kong but the rest of my family are here,” he explained.

Millard

When Coetzee became champion jockey in South Africa he was first rider for Terrance Millard, for whom he rode a plethora of winners.

Coetzee said he was very sad when he heard of Millard’s death late last year.

“He was becoming very frail. I could see that when I saw him for the last time last year.”