Promising KwaZulu-Natal based apprentice Rachel Venniker adds some much-needed glamour to the Cape jockey room when she has her first rides at Kenilworth, and a maiden career Gr2 opportunity, at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival on Friday and Saturday.
It’s difficult to recall when last a lady jockey graced the emerald green Kenilworth track, and it would likely be Vicky Minott some nine years back, and prior to that the likes of Chantal Moys and Genevieve Michel.
No mud on her! Promising Rachel Venniker is looking forward to the LQP Festival (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
A short head runner-up behind Vodacom Durban July winning owner Ashwin Reynolds in the recent Sporting Post 2021 SA Racing Person Of The Year Award, and current runaway leader on SA National Champion Apprentice table, Rachel Venniker jets in on Friday morning for just her second ever visit to the fairest Cape and is looking forward to make a professional impression at South Africa’s only racing festival.
“I have only been to Cape Town once before in my life and then we got lost! So I’m hoping to have a lot more purpose and direction this time round,” smiled the easy going 20 year old who has made a seamless progression from the workrider ranks to pursue her professional jockey ambitions.
Rachel told the Sporting Post that she was excited and honoured to have been given the opportunity to be hosted by the Snaiths and to partner seven of the substantial and powerful SA Champion outfit’s attack at the two-day festival.
“It is really such a great opportunity to ride for the top team at my very first visit to Kenilworth. I have four rides on Friday, including my first ever graded race ride! I will partner SA Champion Owner Suzette Viljoen’s Maryah in the Cartier Gr2 Sceptre Stakes, and then three on Saturday – headed by Magnificent Seven in the Okapi Gr3 Chairman’s Cup.”
When asked if she has sourced a blue and white outfit, and whether she will be staying on after races for the legendary LQP after-party, and maybe even a trip up Table Mountain and a visit to the magnificent winelands on Sunday, she said, ‘oh, definitely no parties!’
“I have six rides at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday and Mr Michael Roberts has already reminded me that I need to get to Pietermaritzburg bright, fresh and absolutely on time! So it won’t be any parties or sight-seeing this trip. I will rather leave that until I can afford to take a holiday,” she laughed.
L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate tickets are available – please click here for more.
Rachel has six rides at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday. The first is off at 12h35.
