Following a distinguished contribution to Western Cape racing, affable former jockey and trainer Adrian Coetzer sadly passed away on Friday 27 December 2019 after being admitted to hospital three days earlier due to cardiac problems.
When he started his apprenticeship as a jockey with Costa Mitchell in Brooklyn, the Coetzer’s home was in nearby William Mason Street.
Adrian Coetzer in the saddle on Gaskell after a win at Milnerton
Viv Greybe writes that Adrian had six sisters and a younger brother Johnny.
Adrian’s best friend was my brother Aubrey Greybe who started his apprenticeship as a jockey at the same time with Harold Anshutz in Rugby.
When Aubrey was transferred to trainer E.G. {Baby) Killa in Milnerton, I started visiting Adrian at Mitchell’s stable where I met apprentice Claude Allen from George Dunkling’s stable nearby.
Despite being transferred to Willie Rother’s stable in Milnerton, Adrian continued hanging out with Claude and myself, when off duty on Sundays.
If it wasn’t a fun outing at the Docks, the Glen, Camps Bay or Sea Point, we would always end up back in Brooklyn at the newly built Galaxidon Cafe for a late afternoon greasy snack.
Adrian would then provide his usual vocal entertainment on entering the room at the rear of the restaurant for a few games of snooker or pool – more so, when switching to gambling on the fruit machines.
Due to weight problems Adrian made the wise decision to switch from riding to training and early success saw him gain new owners including The Countess of Kenmare.
He soon made his mark with a strong string of horses like Home And Dry, Royal Monmouth, Blue Fez, Song Of Peace, Franchoek, Lyndon, promising Double Again owned by SATC Chairman Roger Caradoc Davies, and Home Charger.
My first two winners I bought in Port Elizabeth, Trimtor and Mini Pulla, were previously trained by Adrian in Cape Town.
Much later, I sent Adrian a one-time winner Author from Port Elizabeth who dashed through the ranks in Cape Town – establishing course records over 2400m, 2800m and 3200m at Kenilworth.
The gelding’s last run with Dana Siegenberg aboard again saw the combination smash the 3200m record once more with a resounding win in the Chairman’s Handicap.
After training, Adrian spent many years as assistant Race course manager at Kenilworth under Eddie Luff and also at Durbanville and Milnerton Race Course as manager before its closure.
He also worked as a starter at the South African Turf Club during this period.
Farewell to a great friend.
Adrian leaves four sisters, his wife Elvira, their son Adrian (Jnr) and daughter Monique, who lives in England.
