Kaidan’s A Rocket Man!

“Anfields Rocket hit the front and pricked his ears. I know some of those behind us had some bad luck in running. But I think if my mount was challenged, he would have found more. He is learning and learning fast – he is very good!” The words of one of our most progressive young jockeys.

Saturday 29 October 2022 will go down as a watershed day in the career of 19 year old Ludeim-sponsored Kaidan Brewer. The talented young jockey booted home his feature winner – and then did it again for good measure.

His first leg of the dazzling Turffontein double  – on Anfields Rocket in the Allied Steelrode Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes – was a sensational exhibition of raw talent and bravado by rider and horse.

“He is a lovely horse. A pleasure to ride. He shows less than nothing in his work. But he sure wakes up when he gets to the races. Ryan Maroun suggested we ride him from off the pace. He was off the bit at the 1200m – and I know Mr Grant Maroun said afterwards that he was worried at that stage. I was a bit worried too,  as he was so relaxed. But when I asked him he gave me – and more!” added the young Brewer, who enjoyed the pleasure of having his sister Kiara, her fiancé Michael Ebrahim, and his cousins Aron and Amber McDonald on course to enjoy the big day. His number 1 fan – his Dad – watched the race from East London where he was working.

“My move up to the Gauteng Academy in November last year has been a turning point for me. I am based there during the week, and then sometimes spend the weekend with my sister. I am really enjoying my career and naturally breaking the feature ice on Saturday is a boost and I’m more fired up than ever.”

With 67 career winners to his name, Kaidan is not chasing and focussing on the Apprentice Championship.

“I’m young and inexperienced still but I’m keen to ride good horses. So while I ride to win on every horse I throw my leg over, I’m keen to look for quality above quantity. I’m fortunate that I can ride at any weight and have trainers that trust me to ride their good horses in feature races,” he adds.

The manner in which he judged his victory on Arumugam in the Gauteng Summer Cup 26 November Listed Java Stakes was mature for his years.

“I remember Arumugam from KZN. He always stayed well. Mr Marwing instructed me to give him a chance and let him build up. I did that and it is lovely to experience that in a staying race as you feel your horse just getting stronger and stronger. That said, I thought Kabelo (Matsunyane) had me when Raiseahallelujah moved up so strongly and seemed to be going past. But Arumugam showed heart and fight. One needs horses like him to make us look good,” laughed Kaidan.

And the news that Anfields Rocket may travel South for the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas?

“Mr Maroun knows exactly what he is doing. That is very exciting news. And as I said before, Anfields Rocket is good – he’s very good!” smiled Kaidan.

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