Jehan Malherbe – long service to the sport (Pic – JC Photos)
4Racing hosted Jehan Malherbe at Turffontein on Saturday.
The Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes was run in the recently retired Cape racecaller’s honour.
Here is an excellent short tribute produced by 4Racing’s Robyn Louw:
A former colleague of Jehan, Shaheen Shaw penned this short note which we felt sums up what many racegoers may feel.
Shaheen writes…
My late dad gave me the nod to go racing at 14. It was all I cared about at that stage, so I couldn’t have been happier. I attended my first meeting in 1983 and the R20, which I had saved frugally, was blown in two races.
Back then, the old MOTH Organisation gents, acting in a security role, were on duty at the three Cape tracks.
And bless them, they were a fast dwindling, WW1 draft.
The ‘grandads’ were particularly stern, but they must have recognised that I too loved racing.
They looked at me, frowned, but nevertheless let me deposit my coin and made my way through the turnstiles.
Here I cut it short though, because this story is not about me.
Rather it is about what made that day so memorable – being allowed admission, the smell of the parade ring, and the tones of Jehan Malherbe reading out the latest betting on the first!
I can sense it all like it was yesterday.
44 years of service. A legend.
Thanks for all the great memories, Jehan.
Enjoy and all the best.
Shaheen Shaw
