Leading Cape racecaller Rouvaun Smit has travelled a country mile since a nervous first call in an amateur race in the winter of 1994 and carries the SA flag with honour and pride again at the 2016 Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Downs.
In an exclusive chat with the Sporting Post from a cold and windswept Holiday Inn Express at Epsom, he was on his way to joining Tellytrack Executive Producer Dieter Wohlberg and freelance producer Andrew Bon and his wife Sarah for pre dinner drinks, after giving us some insight into his incredible journey and enthusiastically raving about the experience.
Very accomodating!
Rouvaun said that the hotel was a matter of steps away from the pull-up area of the Derby.
“Yes, it’s cold and they are hoping the wind picks up to dry the track. But this is so convenient! No matter what kind of day you have had, it is a matter of a very short walk back to the hotel.”
Rouvaun was full of praise for the ‘world-class’ hospitality of the festival sponsors.
“The attention to detail is mind boggling and the way the Investec guys co-ordinate every fine detail is an example of how to do things properly. It is even more impressive given the fact that they draw staff from all over the world to assist. Investec’s Head Of Global Marketing Raymond Van Niekerk can be proud of the way it all comes together and to say I feel like royalty may be a bit cheeky – but I cannot think of any other suitable adjective,” he laughed.
Investec’s Raymond Van Niekerk
Due to exam commitments – his son is in High School and daughter at University – Rouvaun’s wife Rachelle was unable to travel with him – but that saw Rouvaun enjoying the privilege of a ‘terrific flying experience’.
“Investec fly couples Premier Economy Class but I am on my own this year so I flew Business Class – they call it Virgin Upper Class. Wow. It is something else!” he said.
The Athlone born broadcaster is in his second year of the unique Investec international commentator swap which saw Richard Hoiles calling the CTS Million Dollar and the Investec Cape Derby in January – in weather diametrically opposite to what Rouvaun is experiencing right now.
Rouvaun Smit – privileged to be there again
Rouvaun called the Coronation Cup last year and faced a commentator’s potential nightmare – a field of only four horses.
“I am pleased this time round to be calling bigger fields and have kindly been given a race on Friday, which will serve to loosen the vocal chords.”
He arrived in London on Tuesday and spent Tuesday evening and Wednesday with Cape owners, Tom and Evelyn Yates in Berkshire.
“Tom travelled a five hour round-trip to fetch me as the traffic is horrendous. I’d liken the town to Robertson in the Cape – a horsey community. On Tuesday evening we visited a pub called The Red Lion. Everybody is just mad about racing and horses – I met a host of lovely people and when I left the manager said that they would be showing the Derby Festival races on their big screen and were so chuffed that I had paid a visit and would be cheering me on! That really touched me,” he added.
On Wednesday Evelyn went to have her hair done and Tom took Rouvaun to show him their previous home – which included a visit to their former neighbours – internationally renowned British funk and acid jazz performer Jamiroquai!
Jamiroquai
“It was music to my ears when Tom casually asked if we should pop in at Jamiroquai. That was an amazing surprise,” said the music crazy broadcaster.
We asked him how his rands were standing up to the battering from the pound.
“At R115 a beer, there is not a lot of drinking going on! But I was fortunate to have my top hat and tails for Saturday (at R1600) very generously sponsored by TFM Networks. Tom Yates is Chairman of the Board of the TFM Group and kindly arranged it. He and Evelyn have just been so kind and hospitable – unbelievably so!”
Rouvaun said that he was looking forward to the experience – “It is world-class horseracing and it is a special occasion having the Queen present the trophy this year. We are very fortunate to have access to the Duchess Stand and to Bernard Kantor’s private suite. Which is right next to the Royal Box. It is all quite intimidating but what an honour and a privilege to be a part of it all. It is an experience which money could never ever buy!”
