The Candyman is back! 2814 days after piloting Hyperactive to victory for Gokhan Terzi at the same venue on 22 June 2017, 57 year old former SA Champion jockey Andrew Fortune broke the ice in his extraordinary late-in-life comeback to the saddle when steering longshot Var Park home at the Vaal on Thursday.
It’s been a long-time between drinks – 7 years, 8 months, 12 days to be precise!
But in typical Fortune style, the former champion casually hit the front sitting dead still on the Grant Maroun galloper, and then still had the nerves of steel to glance behind him as he thwarted a late challenge by Louis Nhlapo on the 7-1 Tchaikovsky to win by three quarters of a length.
Forever young! Andrew Fortune steers Var Park to a memorable victory (Pic – JC Photos)
“I can’t believe it. I must thank Ashley. Didn’t enjoy working in the stable, I decided to start again. I don’t know why but I’m here,” added an emotional Fortune as his interview showed no stamp of the gung ho approach of bygone years.
It took Fortune 6 rides to break the ice after starting quietly on Saturday 1 March on Classic Day.
He spent a year trying to convince authorities that he warranted a chance to make a comeback.
Read about the terms of his relicencing here.
The Candyman salutes as the Grant Maroun Team join in the moment (Pic-JC Photos)
Long-time racing man and Sporting Post reader Theo Roelofsz contacted our offices after the race.
“I had tears in my eyes, ears and mouth. I’ve been an ardent Andy Candyman follower all of his career of nigh on 35 years! Through thick and thin, I, and many a true lover of the game, stuck with the Boytjie! His ups and downs are, and will become, legendary. Memories are made of this. Finis and klaaa! Welcome back Andrew,” enthused Theo.
So say all of us.
