Gareth Pepper (right) with his good friend Johan Janse Van Vuuren after the Dingaans
Popular Tellytrack presenter Gareth Pepper has landed a plum job in Singapore and will leave our local horseracing broadcaster this month.
Ironically the 28 year old self-confessed racing fanatic will share his final shift at Fairview on 19 December with Neil Pretorius, the man who originally gave him his first break at Tellytrack some five years ago.
Pepper, who was a regular Monday host in the Northern Cape, joined Tellytrack and quickly made an impact with his youthful blend of enthusiasm, peppered (excuse the pun) with a solid broad knowledge of all aspects of the game.
Next to youthful commentating prodigy Alistair Cohen, Pepper is one of only a handful of people in the SA horseracing industry under the age of 30.
He grew up spending school holidays with Mike Azzie’s twin sons where he picked up equine skills.
His father Brett, who recently enjoyed a thrilling Dingaans feature win with the Lateral gelding Unparalleled, started his own racing career as a parking attendant at Gosforth Park.
He instilled a love of the game in Gareth early on and owned horses with Louis Goosen and Mike De Kock, amongst other trainers.
Always hungry for knowledge from a very young age, Gareth spent some time at the SA Jockey Academy and also did a stint with trainer Alec Laird, and had a host of jobs along the way in the industry.
An over-the-moon Pepper told the Sporting Post today that he was elated at having landed his ‘dream job.’
“I am so privileged and excited to have been given this chance of a lfetime. And I have so many people to thank. From the late great Jimmy Lithgow, who helped me polish my skills and transform from a greenhorn to a more confident all-round television person, to Neil Pretorius who opened the door for me after I had knocked for a long time! Trainer Brett Crawford, who has also given me ample opportunities and encouragement. And then Nico Kritsiotis and Paul Lafferty who have pushed me and given me good advice, when I really needed some! I have left so many names out, but those people know who they are!” he said.
Gareth will be based in Kranji and will be employed by the Singapore Turf Club.
He reports to their Head Presenter and Commentator Craig Evans whom he met earlier this year and made the opportunity possible.
Gareth flies out of South Africa on 12 January and commences work on 15 January.
We wish the young man every success – while pondering whether our industry can afford to lose talented young blood.
Follow Gareth on Twitter @GazzaDP
