Guineas Double – ‘I Have A Big Chance!’

Winning rider of the 2020 Cape Guineas with Russian Rock, Grant Behr only has one ride at Kenilworth on Saturday.

He partners Waterberry Lane for Dean Kannemeyer in the 2021 renewal of the prestigious classic. The quietly spoken jockey is confident that he can successfully defend the title.

One of the unassuming gentleman of the Cape weighing room, Grant chatted to the Sporting Post this week about the big race, his family and his philosophy on life and his profession.

An avid hobby gardener and a man who runs 10km every other day up the hills and down the dales of his Cape Winelands home, the 43 year old prefers to retain a low profile and we felt quite honoured to snare him for a short chat.

“Horseracing is a sport where people do seem to talk a lot – and most of the time it’s from their pockets. I prefer to listen and do my talking on the racetrack. I only speak when I feel it’s necessary and can contribute some value to the conversation. Otherwise, it’s always better to rather shut up and listen!” says Grant.

He recalls that he left home to ride work at Milnerton on the morning of the 2020 Cape Guineas. Russian Rock, like Waterberry Lane on Saturday, was his only ride on the day. He kissed his wife Lanese and daughter Cassidy goodbye and drove the long road to Milnerton.

His Mom Lorraine arrived at the Behr family home in Pniel later in the day and casually flicked the switch over to Tellytrack.  But it was already past race time. A flurry of whatsapps then alerted them to the glorious reality that Grant had actually won one of the country’s biggest races.

“My family are my rock and foundation. I met my wife when I rode work for Mike Robinson and have been with her for ten years. I’m not shy to admit that she is my backbone. They are my biggest supporters – maybe even my only fans – but whether I’m riding a maiden or a Gr1, I don’t burden or stress them out.”

Watch the 2020 thriller here:

Grant says that on Saturday he will follow the same routine as a year ago.

“I will go and ride work at Milnerton and then head for Kenilworth. Like last year, I am happy to have just the one ride and will find a quiet space to ride the race in my mind a few times and focus.

Unlike many jockeys who gravitate upstairs to the private suites after racing to mingle and do their networking, after races, win, lose or draw, Grant has his shower and goes home.

“Hey, maybe I haven’t done enough self promotion or direct marketing in my career. But the socialising is really not my scene. It never has been. I can’t wait to get home to see my family, tinker in the garden and relax!”

Extremely fit, Grant loves his 10km run every other day, and recalls a raceday recently where he thought he’d have two winners – and they both ran in the bush.

“It was dusk when I got home after the disappointing afternoon. The only way I could constructively deal with the frustration was to go on a 10km run. My wife thinks I’m crazy – but it’s an excellent way to unwind and recharge the soul.”

While the whole world is banging heads and moaning ever since the Covid pandemic struck in early 2020, Grant says that he has found that the tough times have brought out the best in him.

“I know I am a better person and a stronger character now than I was before our lives were turned upside down by this scourge. I used to enjoy a beer, for instance. But financial realities in 2020 made me realise that I could actually do without alcohol in my life. I feel physically better too. A jockey’s life is about dedication and getting up when the rest of the world is fast asleep. Beers the evening before don’t help when the alarm clock goes off! I have always been a homebody but lockdown saw us as a family spending more constructive quality time together. It’s become a way of life. So good inevitably comes from bad!”

On Saturday, Grant partners the very smart Waterberry Lane for Dean Kannemeyer, a man who has supported him over the years, without actually giving him the stable’s number 1 jockey job.

“There is great mutual respect between Mr Kannemeyer and I. And the aspect I value the most is that he doesn’t blame his jockeys or hold a grudge. All of us ride bad races. Sometimes it’s judgement, sometimes circumstantial. There are trainers that will hold it against you forever. Not Mr Kannemeyer. We talk openly and move on.”

And how does he cope with having other jockeys get rides on horses he works or may have won on.

“It’s the owner and trainer’s prerogative to engage whoever they choose on their horse. I have never been a sulker and believe that two wrongs don’t make a right. I may not have got all of the Kannemeyer top rides over the years, but there is a mutual loyalty and I have ridden many feature race winners for him. And patience clearly pays dividends – Russian Rock gave me a Gr1 winner last year!”

Grant is aware that there are other jockeys who could have ridden Waterberry Lane on Saturday. But he got the nod as he knows the horse well and has ridden all the work.

“I really love Waterberry Lane. He is not a difficult ride and is a likeable character, not a nasty horse. He, very much like Cosmic Highway, is focussed and is particularly eager to get on with things.  He has top gate speed, and I am drawn one gate in from where Russian Rock jumped last year. I hope to ride a similar sort of race,” he explains.

Winner of the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe, Waterberry Lane has won both his starts this season – in older company. Is he ready for Saturday?

“He galloped at Kenilworth over 1400m with a companion last Thursday morning. He needed the gallop but Mr Kannemeyer hasn’t won the Guineas six times for nothing. My mount will be cherry ripe on Saturday!”

As the highest rated runner in the field, Grant says that Waterberry Lane must be fancied.

“I never underestimate the opposition – especially in a Gr1. But my horse is a Gr2 winner. He is experienced. A large percentage of Saturday’s line-up are one-time winners and they need to show they are up to it.”

When asked who he sees as his major dangers, Grant suggests that his stablemates Cosmic Highway and Mr Master Starter, as well as Grant van Niekerk’s mount, Pacaya, should be right there.

“I know Cosmic Highway well. He is a magnificent horse and showed his ability when making ground like he did in the Concorde Cup. He is ready for Saturday! And then Mr Master Starter is no slouch either and shouldn’t be left out. He is probably looking for slightly further as he has lost some of his early speed. But the summer course straight will suit him down to the ground. And then Pacaya, who is unexposed at this level, has caught my eye. He has followed a low-key path into the Guineas and is a lovely horse who wins his races with an air of authority.”

As to the rest of the Cape Summer Season, Grant says that the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate is set for a vintage renewal. He is Vodacom Durban July champion Kommetdieding’s dedicated work-rider and feels that Ashwin Reynolds’ son of Elusive Fort ranks with the best he has ridden in his 24 years in the saddle.

“Believe me, the sky is the limit for Kommetdieding. I have ridden the likes of Free My Heart and Dynasty. Kommetdieding doesn’t have to stand back an inch for them. He is a pleasure of a horse to ride and is amazingly still quite a big baby. But what an attitude and what a terrific feel the way he tightens and turns it on when asked. He has made my hair stand up on my arms in work and I believe Mr Reynolds, Mr Crawford and Michelle Rix are still going to have plenty of fun this season with him!”