Donald Is Licenced To Ride!

When Donald Geerthsen packed his bags in February this year and drove the 1070 km from Johannesburg to his new home in Gqeberha, he had a plan.

But it nevertheless took some courage for the then 19 year old to relocate into the unknown.

Things have panned out well for Donald, whose licence upgrade from apprentice to fully fledged jockey came through this week and Friday’s Fairview racemeeting will be his first as a ‘real jockey’!

Donald has met the basic requirement of three years race-riding and is on 51 winners – 50 is the minimum.

“I really do enjoy Gqeberha! It’s not only the racing people that are friendly and laid back, the drivers on the roads are courteous and they drive a lot slower than people do on the Highveld,” laughs the former Pretoria Boys High School graduate as he explains what led to the interprovincial move in February.

Donald booted home his first stakes feature success in May 2023 when the Beck owned Future Pearl won the Gr3 Gold Bowl. It was a defining moment and he received the accolades from multiple champion trainer Sean Tarry for ‘a polished ride’.

“He has a bright future if he keeps his head, and enjoys a good strike-rate for me. I wouldn’t usually go with inexperience in a feature but I was running out of options with five horses racing off the 50kg mark in this race,” was Tarry’s observation at the time.

Despite his polite demeanour, enthusiasm, hard work and progressive ability in the saddle, Donald says that he battled to make his mark in the competitive environment.

“Breaking through on the Highveld doesn’t happen overnight. I was getting some support but just not enough rides to develop and grow. That led to my move to the coast in February. It hasn’t been a walk in the park, but as I sit here today, I have never looked back and have made a whole lot of new professional contacts and friends.”

Donald was attached to the powerful Kelly Mitchley yard initially but has spread his wings, enjoying good support from Jacques Strydom and Tara Laing, for whom he rode his milestone 50^th career winner when Rain Bird won at Fairview on 11 October.

The moment took him back to the occasion of his first winner on 21 June 2021 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. It was his fourth ride. He still replays the race in his head on the 25-1 Twiceasfast, who won for late owner Gavin Almanza and trainer Shane Humby. Donald still keeps in touch with Shane Humby.

It was a day to remember. His elated parents Klaus and Jean Geerthsen had travelled from Pretoria a few days prior to the memorable icebreaking day to watch him have his first ride at the same venue on 100-1 Gaetana for Tienie Prinsloo.

The family remains close but he tells us that he hasn’t seen his parents, and his two older brothers Max and Ethan, since July. But Dad Klaus is coming down later this week for a visit.

Donald is clearly happy in the Eastern Cape,  but is no party animal and enjoys quality time with friends.

“The people are really friendly and kind. Jacques Strydom and Tara Laing and their families have welcomed me. I’m good mates with Tara’s son Ewan Garrett and I keep in regular touch with Kyle Strydom, who started at the SA Jockey Academy with me, and is now based in the UK.”

Recreationally, we asked him if he surfs on the beautiful Gqeberha beaches. “Let’s call it walking rather than surfing!” he laughs as he tells that he enjoys his gym work.

“Justine Mienie is my personal trainer at King Fitness. She is excellent and makes the whole exercise routine more fun than a chore,” he adds.

Donald also runs a life group at his church every Friday evening.

“I have found plenty of meaning spiritually in my church and I look forward to Friday evenings,” he says.

Ironically, the very family that he used to spend every second weekend with in Clarendon, Pietermaritzburg, during his Academy days, have moved house to Port Alfred, just 150km away from Donald’s current base.

“How fortuitous is that! My Uncle took a new job down here. I try and see them as often as I can.”

When asked about future plans, Donald says that his Gqeberha ‘recharge’ has been a career changer for him.

“I have built my confidence in an environment that I enjoy and will consider travelling in 2025 when I have the means to fund myself and add value,” he says maturely.

And what happened to his nickname, given to him by his fellow first year jockeys at the Academy – Sipho Dlamuka?

“I think I left that behind in Johannesburg!”

Donald had his first introduction to horses as a showjumper at the age of 7.

He fell in love with the beautiful creatures and his natural balance in the saddle and slight build – he walks around today at 53kgs  – saw his coach Anton Hoek of the Cornerstone Equestrian Centre arrange an introduction to Robert Moore of the SA Jockey Academy in Johannesburg.

The rest is history, as they say.

Good luck Donald!