He came, he saw, he conquered.
Multiple champion jockey Jeff Lloyd’s fleeting swansong visit to South Africa added an emotional and fascinating dimension to the Vodacom Durban July build-up in 2018.
The legend of the riding ranks proved his popularity, and his sincere public relations and genuine warmth can serve as an example to all of his colleagues.
The Lloyds -with Kevin Shea photo-bombing (Pic- Candiese Marnewick/Gold Circle)
The Lloyd family, with Mom and Mom-In-Law in tow, arrived from Australia ten days prior to the July and never let their sponsors, Kuda, or the racing public and industry at large down.
The media-friendly Guv played the role of ambassador, tirelessly smiling for photographs, making public appearances and adding feelgood value where he went.
Over 40 years in the saddle, adversity, family and international experience at the top level have shaped him. He is a legend and the photographs with R6 punters and anonymous members of the adoring Durban racing public on social media tell the true story.
The July victory he so desperately sought, was not to be.
Made To Conquer was there in the final stages off a muddling pace. A second beats third – ask Jeff after eleven of the latter!
He did ride a winner at his last meeting on African soil.
Gauteng trainer Candice Dawson and her connections will always treasure the honour of having the Guv aboard their July day winner.
Jeff had the aptly named Givinitsum just off the action and produced him late to win the R1 million KZN Yearling Sale Million.
The race restricted to qualifying graduates of the value-for-money KZN Yearling Sale saw 14 hopefuls slogging it out under the lights over the 1300m turf track.
When the Guv pressed the button, Givinitsum stomed clear to win by a quarter length in a time of 79,66 secs.
Candice Dawson leads Givinitsum in after his big win (Pic – Candiese Marnewick/Gold Circle)
Mr Bombastic showed good pace throughout and stayed on well for second.
The Strelitzia Stakes winner Inverroche ran a cracker from a wide draw and was the first filly home in third, while Sean Tarry’s Curved Ball maiden Against The Grain ran fourth – the top four finished within under a length of each other.
Givinitsum is now unbeaten in two starts and looks a progressive sort.
Bred by the Birch Bros – what a run the stalwarts are enjoying – he is a son of deceased sire Lateral (Singspiel) out of the two time winner Fine Hope (Fine Edge).
Givinitsum cost just R45 000 at the 2017 KZN Yearling Sale and has earned R684 375 in two winning starts. What an advert for the sale!
Thanks to the Lloyds for the great memories.
