Out – Bernard Fayd’herbe
Richard Fourie is to cut short his Hong Kong contract and return to South Africa. He looks set to resume his position as first jockey to Justin Snaith, writes Michael Clower.
Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who took over the plum job at the beginning of the season, hinted at the changes after winning the first race at Kenilworth on wednesday on the Snaith-trained Bishop’s Bounty. He quipped, tongue only partly in cheek: “I’ve got the boot.”
Snaith then elaborated, saying: “The agreement with Bernard was only up until Met day. He has commitments to another yard and his weight is also a problem. My operation is too big to have that [in a stable jockey] and Richard is coming back. But Bernard will ride the odd one from now on.”
Fayd’Herbe added: “There are no hard feelings – obviously you can’t have a stable jockey who can only do 58.5kg – and I will continue to be first jockey for the Ridgemont Stud.”
In – Richard Fourie
Fourie has enjoyed spectacular success for Snaith, including winning the 2014 Vodacom Durban July on Legislate, but things have not gone well for him in Hong Kong this season. He has only ridden six winners and is currently out of action with ligament and muscle problems in his back, the result of schooling a horse through the pens.
He recently flew home for treatment but is now back in Hong Kong. His application to be released from his contract was due to be heard Thursday.
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