Leading UK commentator Richard Hoiles will be calling both the Gr1 Investec Cape Derby and the CTS Million Dollar at Kenilworth on Saturday as part of the established international commentator swap established in 2015.
Rouvaun Smit
Veteran regular Cape racecallers Rouvaun Smit and Jehan Malherbe will have time to enjoy the Investec Day Of Dreams and will be vacating the Kenilworth crow’s nest for the two features.
If ever a man was facing a pressure cooker of an afternoon, it is the consummate professional, Hoiles.
The Kenilworth commentator’s seat is located in the rafters of the main stand, and is not known for air-conditioned luxury or other first-world comforts.
But Hoiles, who called the Cape Derby in 2015, will not be entering completely unchartered waters.
With Cape Town sweltering in a heat wave, and with the added demands of the 1400m CTS Million Dollar, he will have to get used to sixteen runners off a helter skelter pace – with five carrying the famous Jooste ‘Bok’ silks and two in the Chris Van Niekerk flag.
Richard Hoiles
And with big money on the line, there will be no margin for error – with connections’ nerves stretched to breaking point.
Hoiles, one of the leading commentators for Channel 4 Racing as well as dedicated horse racing channels At The Races and Racing UK, swapped seats with Rouvaun Smit last year and the Cape’s golden voice will be attending the Investec Derby Festival again this year to commentate on Derby Day on Saturday, 4 June.
We wish Richard luck!
