Incumbent Met champion jockey MJ Byleveld says that it feels like a hundred years ago since he celebrated his champagne career peak moment and steered One World to victory ahead of Ryan Moore and Rainbow Bridge in the 2020 Sun Met on a dizzying sunny afternoon at Kenilworth.
MJ drives One World ahead of Rainbow Bridge and Ryan Moore (Pic- Chase Liebenberg)
On Saturday the still injury sidelined MJ won’t be in the saddle where he’d prefer to be – but in a chair in front of the bright glare of the studio lights and Tellytrack cameras at Kenilworth.
The quietly spoken Avontuur-sponsored jockey must have done something right on L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate day as he has cracked the nod as a guest again for a few races on Met day. But he concedes, ‘with respect’, that the TV work runs a dirty second to the alternative of a ride in the big race.
“It’s no fun sitting watching from the sidelines. I can’t wait to get back – my specialist says that could be around the middle of April – that frankly feels like a lifetime away right now,” says the 39 year old Warmbaths-born Blue Bulls fan as he pages through Saturday’s racecard.
He was injured at trackwork four months ago on the eve of the Cape summer season, fracturing his tibia and his ankle. He is undergoing biokinetic rehabilitative therapy and says he will be seeing the specialist this week about possibly having a ‘screw removed’.
While MJ has a few Cape Guineas trophies and other Gr1 silverware on the mantelpiece at his neatly appointed Durbanville home, the 2020 Sun Met was the pinnacle of a career of dedication and hard slogging. He had previously endured the frustration of being runner-up on Hill Fifty Four for the Marshall yard in 2013. The gelding would go on to win the Met the next year in the hands of Anton Marcus.
Adele Alsop and the Marshall team welcome the winner (Pic- Chase Liebenberg)
But it all came together for MJ when he produced a top drawer display of power riding on One World to shatter multiple British champion jockey Ryan Moore’s dream of riding a Gr1 winner on African soil. There was plenty of banter afterwards as Moore had the SA flag in his face all the way up the straight, courtesy of MJ’s patriotic skants that shone through as he rode for his life.
For MJ, that was great professional satisfaction. But it was sharing the iconic moment with his folks and friends on course that was the real highlight.
We asked him about that Frankie Dettori type rush of blood that saw him drop his breeches and flash his Faf de Klerk SAFFA speedo SA flag to the crowd.
“Frankie who? No, it was just such an overwhelming time – the buzz of the crowd. The elation. The groom walked up and I asked him to hold the champion for a moment. I stepped sort of round the corner and just did it. It was one of those moments in a jock’s head when things just happen,” he laughs.
Did he take any flak for it from the Stipes or his sponsors?
“I don’t think anybody saw it. And the pic was taken by a mainstream news photographer. The Avontuur team saw the fun and good sport in it – thankfully!”
The speedo was bought as a Christmas gift for MJ by his partner, Bianca Mincione, and proved to be something of a lucky charm as he also wore them when riding the jackpot at Kenilworth a month prior to the Met!
MJ observes that the absence of a crowd is going to be an interesting aspect of Saturday after recalling the buzz he enjoyed last year.
“The crowd gets the adrenaline going and lifts a sportsman’s performance. Internationally, live sport seems to have adjusted. We live in extraordinary times!”
Victorious salute from MJ (Pic- Chase Liebenbegg)
On Saturday’s big race, MJ says that his loyalty and heart are naturally with the Marshall stable, who saddle Silver Operator.
“I haven’t been riding work so I am not up to speed with the well-being of the various individuals. But Silver Operator showed genuine ability early on and won the Cape Classic in the fashion of a horse going the right way. He was rested for almost a year after the Guineas and has his fourth run back, having won one of the previous three. Who knows where he would have been had he raced? So on paper, they do look to be ahead of him. I was really impressed with the way Belgarion won the Green Point Stakes and the Queen’s Plate then came as his possible second run after a rest. But over the 2000m on Saturday and in peak fitness, he is a massive runner. It’s a really smart field and there isn’t a horse who won’t have their supporters. I’m looking so forward to the day.”
Click on the image below to read more!
