Another talented South African jockey will be riding in Mauritius for the balance of the season.
After the news broke this week of Randall Simons taking up a contract with the Preetam Daby yard, Gr1 Cape Derby winning rider Diego De Gouveia flies out on Friday to take up a position recently vacated by multiple SA Champion, Piere Strydom.
Diego chats to Angus Gold and Mike de Kock after his Gr1 Cape Derby victory on Atyaab (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Diego, aka ‘Digz’, confirmed the decision to the Sporting Post and said that he was looking forward to the challenge.
“I am young and feel that I should take my chances. I would really like to thank all the local owners and trainers who have given me so many great opportunities,” he said as he packed his bags on a trip that could set the standard for his future career. Whatever the outcome, the experience is likely to be a value-add!
Like dual SA champion Lyle Hewitson, Diego came through the tough school of the workrider ranks. He rode for a year in Zimbabwe and attended the British Racing School in 2016.
The Rameshwar Gujadhur yard are currently the top-ranked Mauritius stable on stakes. They have saddled 21 winners to date and have finished in the top three in the past three years.
Their top horse is former Brett Crawford charge White River, who was placed in the 2018 Cape Guineas. A winner of all four of his starts there, he is the top earning horse on the island this season.
