Bernard Faydherbe (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Since July day 2016, big race rider Bernard Fayd’herbe has been missing from South African tracks and been plying his trade in Mauritius.
Bernard was contracted to the powerful Gilbert Rousset yard and acquitted himself with aplomb, notching 23 wins (including two Mauritian Gr1’s) and 48 places from 94 rides, for a 24.5% win and 51% place strike rate. Having completed the Mauritian season, he has taken the decision to base himself in Dubai for the Carnival, although he is making himself available for rides in South Africa. He has just arrived back in Cape Town for this weekend’s Grand Parade Cape Guineas meeting and we caught up on his latest adventures.
Opportunity Knocks
Bernard went to Mauritius mainly because the opportunity presented itself. “A group of Mauritian owners who are also owners at the Ramsden yard were in Cape Town and we went out for dinner. I have ridden in Mauritius before and they suggested that I come out again sometime. I said that if someone offered me an attractive enough package to go over I would consider it and didn’t think much more of it. Then I received a call from Mr Hardy, who I’d known socially for a few years, that their jockey had decided to move to Singapore and asking whether I would consider riding for the Gilbert Rousset stable.”
“At that stage the Durban season was winding down and I had only heard good things about the Rousset yard, so I gave it some serious thought. I was sponsored by Vasco Tavern and contracted to Ridgemont Stud at the time, so I discussed the offer with Wayne Kieswetter and as they don’t run most of their horses until they turn three and we were due to have a quiet spell, he was kind enough to allow me to take up the opportunity.”
Bernard completed his local commitments on July day, including finishing 3rd on Mac De Lago in the Vodacom Durban July. The next day it was back to Cape Town for a full medical on Monday and Bernard and his partner Roxy Joubert left for Mauritius on Wednesday. “I rode track work on Thursday and Friday, raced that Saturday and managed to ride three winners for the stable, so it was great to start off on a high.”
Racing in Mauritius
Champs de Mars
Asked to describe the racing scene in Mauritius, Bernard says, “Racing in Mauritius is extremely competitive and because the track is so tight, it is very unforgiving. The facilities are very different to what we are used to in South Africa as space is limited, but saying that, it is the 2nd oldest track in the world and functions really well. The horses seem happy and that’s the most important.”
“Three things that really stand out for me include how well-organised morning track work is; the way the starting stall handlers always manage to load every field within a minute and their track manager – considering all the wear and tear the track takes throughout the 8 months of racing, they do a really good job of maintaining it.”
Mauritius races once a week on Saturdays. Stakes are not very different from South Africa and if you have good horses, you earn good money. Racing fans are very passionate and most go racing every weekend. The race day crowds are huge compared to South Africa and I have yet to experience a quiet race day in Mauritius. The race cards are really good and you are supplied with all the information you need from gallop times, pictures, snapshots from the previous week’s racing and updates from racing around the world. Fellow South Africans Ian Sturgeon and Donovan Mansour were also over and both have had good seasons.”
Gilbert Rousset is a well-respected trainer and won a 6th trainers championship this season. Bernard says, “There is a wonderful atmosphere at the stables. The majority of the owners race for fun and are not keen on gambling. Gilbert has a fantastic team, led by his amazing assistant Shoodesh, who is an extremely good horseman.”
Lifestyle
Bernard and his partner Roxy enjoyed their stay in Mauritius, choosing to stay on the West side of the island. He says, “I chose to stay on this side of the island because it is more quiet. Most of the other jockeys choose to stay in Grand Baie, which is about 1.5 hours’ drive and a lot more commercial, but we visited there regularly to see family and friends. I love to cook, so Roxy and I entertained quite a bit and often had people round for dinner. Roxy and I also train together and go walking and running, but there is always something to do on the island, from spending a day out on a boat, or on the beach, snorkelling or diving or socialising with friends. We live a really good life there.”
Of course there is no place like home and Bernard admits, “Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities and I do miss it, but we had quite a few friends from South Africa come and visit. But I am looking forward to racing abroad for the next few months.”
Dubai campaign
The Mauritian season comes to a close in mid-December as the island gets too hot and there is no racing until April. Instead of returning to South Africa, Bernard decided to head to Dubai for the World Cup Carnival and has been based there since 5 December. “I am freelancing, but am riding a lot of work for Mike de Kock. He already has stable jockeys, but if he has multiple runners in a race, he will try and give me rides if he can. I’ll be in Dubai till the end of March and then go back to Mauritius for the start of their new season in April.”
Fortunately, Bernard will be making time to ride in South Africa and any interested parties can get in touch either via his South African number or via his agent and Greenstreet Bloodstock partner, Justin Vermaak. However, fans can look forward to seeing him at this weekend’s Grand Parade Guineas meeting, where he has a total of 5 races on Saturday’s card, including Oratio in the first, Varsity Cup in the 2nd, the Brett Crawford charge Craven in the Gr1 Cape Guineas, Fear Not for Justin Snaith in the Gr3 Victress Stakes and Nasty Harry in race 10. Bernard will be back in town until Monday and then flies back to Dubai.
