The Summer Cup day celebrations at Turffontein last Saturday proved one of the best in recent memory and the substantial crowd and good vibe on track was boosted by former champion jockey Bartie Leisher’s bachelor party.
Bachelor party at the Summer Cup – Robbie Sham and Bartie pose for the camera
One of South African racing’s favourite sons, Bartie ties the knot with long-time sweetheart Lynette Sham at the Maronite Catholic Church in the South Of Johannesburg on Saturday 15 December. His brother, Dr Matthew Leisher will be Best Man.
Another winner for Bartie
Our 1986 Durban July winning jockey, Bartie Leisher rode 6 winners on a card on 6 September 1986 and achieved international fame when Hong Kong Champion Jockey for the 1987/88 season.
His meteoric rise to fame was tragically interrupted at the age of 27. In March 1989, the season of his first defence of his Hong Kong jockeys’ title, Bartie suffered a near-fatal fall in Hong Kong.
Bartie and Lynette
His bride-to-be has worked for the NHA for 25 years. She told the Sporting Post that she courted Bartie in the 1980’s having met him at church, before he hit the international limelight and they drifted apart.
Seven years ago they renewed acquaintance – again at church – and jockey Robbie Sham’s cousin says that she is excited to be marrying ‘the most spiritual and gentle man’ she has known.
“Life is amazing. Thirty years on our lives have gone full circle. I am a lucky lady,”said Lynette.
