Mathew Thackeray
Sunday, 14 June 2015 will see the 3rd edition of the prestigious Prix Longines Future Racing Stars showcase in Chantilly and promising young apprentice Mathew Thackeray has been selected to represent South Africa.
The international clash is staged as part of a 9-race card, which features the 166th edition of the Gr1 Prix de Diane Longines, one of the world’s most prestigious fillies’ races.
The Prix Longines Future Racing Stars is designed to showcase the best up and coming young riding talent from across the world and selects hand-picked participants from the world’s top racing schools. The event is open to riders under the age of 25 who have won between 3 and 35 races. This year sees participants from 9 different nations including Australia, England, France, Japan, Ireland, Germany, South Africa, Turkey and the United States and Mathew will be lining up against 12 of the world’s best up and coming talent for the 1800m event worth EUR20,000.
Competitors
The participants include Pierre Bazire and Jefferson Smith from France, Rowan Scott and Rob Hornby from Great Britain, Donagh O’Connor and Josh Doyle from Ireland, Tomasso Scardino and Luisa Steudle from Germany, Lauralea Glaser from the USA, Beau Mertens from Australia, Yuya Mizuguchi from Japan, Burak Averbak from Turkey and Mathew Thackeray from South Africa.
Johannesburg Academy riding master Gary Waterston confirms that South Africa has a good record in this event. “Franklin Maleking won the inaugural running of the race and Mandla Ntuli produced a fantastic ride from a challenging draw to finish 3rd in last year’s event. Longines sponsor the entire trip. They put on a fantastic event and really look after us. It’s a great way for us to showcase our home-grown talent and for our young riders to get exposure on the world stage.”
Eighteen year old Mathew hails from Henley-On-Klip and joined the SA Jockey Academy in 2013. After completing his basic training in Durban, he is now based in Johannesburg. He rode his first winner on chance ride Fun City for Erico Verdonese at the Vaal on 1 February 2014.
Mathew and riding master Gary Waterston will depart for France on Tuesday, 9 June and return on Monday, 15 June. We wish them safe travels and all the best for Sunday.
