While Ashwin Reynolds and Rachel Venniker came into horseracing from two very different worlds, the duo provided thrills and entertainment, and scripted their unique individual chapters in the history book of South African horseracing in 2021.
In a popularity poll run by the Sporting Post, that included ten nominations by our readers, only 0,32% separated Vodacom Durban July winning owner Ashwin from South Africa’s newest groundbreaking female rider, Rachel.
Michelle Rix, Ashwin Reynolds and family watching Kommetdieding enjoying a roll at Milnerton (Pic- Racing News Social TV)
Ashwin Reynolds achieved an SP reader vote of 26.03% versus Rachel Venniker’s 25.71% at close of the poll at noon on Tuesday.
While the current season holds great new Gr1 hopes for L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and WSB Cape Town Met entry Kommetdieding, it was the Vodacom Durban July victory by the Michelle Rix and Harold Crawford -trained son of Elusive Fort that put Mr Reynolds on the racing map.
The man who lives a minute away from Kenilworth racecourse and grew up in Grassy Park on the Cape Flats said that he was thrilled that the Cape Flats community had gotten behind the people’s horse the way they had.
Ashwin watched Africa’s greatest horserace from home together with his wife Rene and sons Brandon and Aiden and said the neighbours must have believed ‘a Tsunami’ had hit. The neighbours asked politely the next day whether something had happened as they were not aware of his association with racehorses.
Hailing from a dynasty of KZN showjumping champions headed by her Dad Brett, Rachel Venniker has been riding since the age of 4, competing in the show arena, and riding work on racehorses since the age of 14.
Rachel Venniker – changed the way some view female jocks (Pic- Candiese Lenferna)
Having injected a whole new attitude in SA racing to the way lady riders are viewed, Rachel has made great strides in her short time in the professional saddle and currently heads the SA National Apprentice Champion log, with a more than 100% lead over hear nearest rival.
The Dacha-sponsored Venniker recently also joined the ranks of the greatest female riders to have graced the SA turf when her first year winner statistics put her in the Genevieve Michel and Jessica Goslett league.
We thank our readers for participating with such enthusiasm, and doff our cap to all the nominees.
The rest of the nominees, with their percentage vote shown are:
The Punter 12.54%
Next to the owner, the most important person in racing. But does the game treat him right? Awful Tote service and endless technical glitches, information chaos around Tellytrack, inconsistencies with Stiping decisions, and a general apathy from the hierarchy, make the ideal of the boosting of tote turnover a distant pipe dream. We salute the punter for mostly coming back every day.
Lyle Hewitson 10.79%
A treble SA Champion jockey, Lyle Hewitson rode the first winner of his second Hong Kong campaign on Sunday 5 December and just a week later found himself in hospital after a dreadful accident on Longines International Races day at Sha Tin. The 23 year old is recovering well and remains a firm public favourite.
SA Champion trainer Justin Snaith (Pic -Candiese Lenferna)
Justin Snaith 7.14%
Newly crowned SA Champion trainer Justin Snaith is being given plenty to think about by last season’s runner-up Paul Peter, who is a marginal leader on the national log as the year winds down. After saddling Double Superlative to win the Cape Guineas a fortnight ago, Justin will have a few more Gr1 aces up his sleeve before the end of the local season in February.
Alistair Cohen 5.71%
Our proudly newest international export, Dubai racecaller Alistair Cohen has earned wide respect for the seamless manner that he has transcended from calling the likes of Kommetdieding and Bevoeterd here, to Reem Baynounah, Af Fakhama and Qalb Almutawa in his new home, where he has adjusted to a whole new world in a matter of weeks.
Brandon Bailey 4.76%
South Africa’s youngest racecaller, the Boy from Brackendowns goes by the interesting nickname ‘Chopman’. No slouch in the commentary box, and something of a nice guy, Bailey probably earned his nomination here for his pursuits when calling Mauritius racing from a makeshift ‘hokkie’ at the local Gauteng tracks. Urban legend or not, he receives full marks for passion and dedication to the game.
Tony Rivalland – quiet diplomacy ruled (Pic- Gold Circle)
Tony Rivalland 3.97%
A Summerveld racehorse trainer and founding member and chairman of SANTA, Tony Rivalland is on record that the best advice he ever received was ‘Never Say Die’ and to keep yourself in the best company and your horses in the worst. It could be argued that he has lived up to that maxim and was recently lauded by his colleagues for his unwavering drive and determination, consultative prowess, and astounding work ethic for facilitating sensitive negotiations – not unlike a World Peace summit – with the National Horseracing Authority.
Fundi Sithebe 1.75%
The first CEO of 4Racing, Fundi Sithebe spoke to the Sporting Post after a hectic first month in the cockpit of the 4Racing superjet. Her story is here
Mike de Kock 1.59%
The multiple SA Champion trainer is always a newsmaker, his outspoken and forthright demeanour making him a favourite with the media and the racing public. MDK put South African racing on the world map with his exploits in Dubai and elsewhere, and will likely be seen participating again in the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival.
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