Piere Strydom
The National Horseracing Authority of South Africa have advised that an inquiry has been opened into the riding of Dublin Rebel by multiple champion jockey Piere Strydom in the third race at Turffontein today.
Dublin Rebel hit the front inside the final 200m of the 1800m Maiden Plate and appeared to be going on to an easy win – until collared in the final stride by Top Shot, ridden by Andrew Fortune.
The photo finish showed that Top Shot, who had ghosted up on the rail, got the verdict by a nose. Both runners were fancied, and the winner went off tote favourite.
It appears obvious from Strydom’s body language and head stance that he failed to see Top Shot’s strong rally in the final stages.
He thus did not ride his mount as vigorously as he might have – but did he actually drop his hands and stop riding?
There is bound to be plenty of debate!
Strydom is one of South Africa’s greatest jockeys of all time and reached his 5000 winner mark in November 2014.
We were unable to reach him for a comment as he was riding at Turffontein.
