A third generation jockey from a well-known and proud South African horseracing family takes his first step into the history books at Scottsville this afternoon.
Daniel Kotzen – ready to get race riding!
The 17yo former Milnerton High School pupil Daniel Kotzen follows in the giant bootprints of his former jockey Granddads Nathan Kotzen and Raymond Heneke, as well as his 1985 Met winning Uncle, the late Grant Kotzen, who piloted the brilliant Charles Fortune to win the Cape’s greatest race for the late Mike Airey.
Daniel has his first ride aboard the Argentinian-bred Ebtihaal for Mike de Kock in the seventh race today.
The family connection continues, as Daniel’s Uncle Nathan jnr will saddle Ebtihaal.
Daniel’s Granddads in action! Nathan Kotzen snr leads Niquette in with Raymond Heneke in the saddle after a win in October 1994
The connections don’t end there! Daniel is the son of well-known Cape farrier Darren Kotzen, and his Mom Bonny is the daughter of former jockey Raymond Heneke.
Daniel’s other Uncle, Newmarket born Glen, is a top trainer in the Cape.
In a family where racing courses through the veins, Glen was given his name in October 1965 after his father Nathan (these days an assistant at the family training operation Woodhill), had won on a horse called Russian Glen.
Daniels’ Aunt Kathi (Glen’s wife) and Granny Dawn said that the family would be in front of the television sets at 15h20 to shout their new star home.
“It’s a really proud moment for the whole family,” said Kathi.
