Mom Samantha and sisters Emma and Tegan will arrive in Hong Kong on Monday morning to celebrate New Year with the happiest jockey on earth, Lyle Hewitson.
The 22 year old South African champion picked up his first Hong Kong win at the 141st attempt thanks to a well-judged all-the-way win on Last Kingdom in the finale, the Class 3 Pak Tam Chung Handicap at Sha Tin at the last meeting of the year on Sunday.
Lyle’s smile says it all on Sunday (Pic – HKJC)
Lyle’s emotional and very proud Dad and a former jockey himself, Carl Hewitson, spoke to the Sporting Post from the coastal city of Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
“We are all very excited and thrilled that Lyle has gotten the monkey off his back. His timing could not have been better and he can start 2020 on a clean slate. He has been spending a lot of time with Dougie Whyte and the experience and confidence has made all the difference. I think we all forget that Lyle is only 22. He has achieved so much so soon, we forget he has only been riding for a short while. One never stops learning in this game – ask the likes of any of the top guys like Piere Strydom and other veterans. I am just so proud and pleased,” said Carl.
He added that Lyle’s Mom and two sisters would celebrate New Year and spend nine days with Lyle and his girlfriend Hannah.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club reports that the two-time South African champion had his fellow countryman, first-season trainer and 13-time Hong Kong champion jockey, Douglas Whyte to thank for the success.
“It’s a cauldron of fire and if you’re not doing well you can burn to ashes,” Hewitson said of his time so far in Hong Kong.
“I just carried on with my positive attitude and fortunately I found someone like Douglas who was prepared to give me the opportunity and put a lot of work into my riding and it really has paid dividends.
“I’ve only had a short career and it’s only been success so this has been very humbling and I’ve learnt a lot from it, I can tell you, but I’m a better rider than when I won those championships. Now it’s just about making sure this winner opens the floodgates.”
Whyte (pictured above) had plenty of praise for the 22-year-old’s attitude, ability and work ethic.
“Hong Kong can be a very difficult place at the best of times and Lyle’s had a tough introduction but for me he’s been riding well and he’s given horses a lot of opportunities and he just needed an ounce of luck,” Whyte said.
“I’m happy to use him and I’m very fortunate that I have owners who are willing to give me a little bit of flexibility because everybody knows in Hong Kong when a jockey is not in form it’s very difficult to support them.”
