We aren’t sure if it’s an international trend, but South African horseracing’s on-course presenters can be on the receiving end of plenty of criticism.
The Sporting Post has received reams of letters over the years, most of them uncomplimentary, and slamming the guys ‘n girls in front of the cameras.
We can sum up the general critique broadly into suggestions of speaking poorly, overdoing the compliments, winging the form study, and a pet hate, conducting private jokes, while Joe Public is waiting to be tipped a winner.
But here’s a positive one at last!
Vicky Minott on the L’Ormarins King’s Plate winner’s podium earlier this month – a reader suggests that she is a big success and that the Cape trio are simply the best (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Geoff Logan of Howick writes on Sunday 14 January 2024 in the Sporting Post Mailbag that he wants to compliment Vicky Minott on the fantastic job that she is doing.
She took over from Fiona Ramsden, who was a real pro and is a very attractive woman. Difficult shoes to fill!
After a nervous start, she has really got her act together and has become excellent at what she is doing.
She dresses beautifully now and is in fact a pretty girl. I really enjoy her.
The trio of Grant Knowles, MJ Byleveld and herself are the three best presenters in the SA Racing world, concludes Geoff.
Ed – Vicky, who graduated from the South African Jockey Academy in 2008, had her first race ride two years earlier and surpassed many of her male counterparts by riding fifty winners in a very short period of time.
She called it a day in 2012 after an injury and was the first jockey to be contracted by the then Tellytrack as a presenter. It was reported in 2022 that Vicky was considering a comeback after the introduction of the 1,5kg sex allowance.
We have also seen the popular Nadine Low Ah Kee enjoy tremendous success in the Eastern Cape in a similar role, while Kevin Shea tried his hand at this tough job in KZN for a short time.
Vikki Lerena is a trainee presenter with 4Racing, currently.
- If you have something on your mind, please drop us a line to [email protected]. We need your name, surname and address please. Try keep it down to 500 words.
