Former SA Champion jockey Anton Marcus is not often caught unawares but he appeared genuinely surprised at Greyville on Wednesday when presented with an acknowledgement of his Gr1 record setting performance last term.
Acting NHA CEO Arnold Hyde was on hand to present the star jockey with a momento of his Gr1 milestone achievement from the racing regulator.
Anton Marcus accepts the acknowledgement from NHA Acting CEO Arnold Hyde (Pic – Raf Sheik)
Hyde said that a lot of thought and effort had gone into the acknowledgement – thus explaining why it was being handed over some months after the event.
“We are proud to be associated with a professional of Anton Marcus’ calibre,” said Hyde who thanked Marcus for his efforts and contribution to the sport.
The Ridgemont Highlands sponsored Marcus not only broke the Vodacom Durban July all-time record of five winners at Greyville on Saturday 7 July when steering the Justin Snaith trained Do It Again to victory in Africa’s Greatest – the 48 year old veteran also registered the 101st Gr1 winner of his illustrious career to set a South African record.
Marcus on the 2018 Vodacom Durban July winner, Do It Again
The ever modest Anton said at the time that he was proud to have achieved the milestone and acknowledged that he had been fortunate to ride top horses for top stables.
Three of his Gr1 victories were achieved overseas.
His century of Gr1 winners came on SA Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle in the Horse Chestnut Stakes earlier this year. Marcus was seen at his brilliant best on Saturday when he steered the same Legal Eagle to a memorable victory in the G2 Green Point Stakes.
His current win strike rate is 30% and he is in second place on the national log behind Muzi Yeni.
