It’s official. Newly crowned Winning Form-sponsored South African Champion jockey Richard Fourie rode 378 winners in a record-breaking 2023/24 season.
Right up to the moment a proud Fourie received his Equus trophy last Thursday evening at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, there was a difference of opinion over the total winners.
The old and the new! Outgoing record-holder Anthony Delpech and new star Richard Fourie pose with the Equus trophy (Pic – Wayne Marks)
In a comparison of statistics furnished by the Winning Form against National Horseracing Authority records on Monday, it was confirmed to the Sporting Post by the racing regulator’s Hazel Kayiya that on 9 June 2024 Fourie finished second on Bay Empire to the subsequently disqualified Bjorn Ironside.
This was confirmed in an NHRA media release dated 13 August 2023. So it’s 378!
The tireless and talented Fourie stormed his way into the history books of the South African turf on Saturday 8 June when Double Grand Slam became his 335th winner, shattering Anthony Delpech’s 25 year record of 334 winners in a season.
Double Grand Slam and Richard Fourie breaking records at Hollywoodbets Greyville (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The Delpech magic mark, set in the 1998/99 season, shattered Piere Strydom’s existing record at the time, and had stood the test of a quarter of a century of intense competition featuring some of the world’s greatest jockeys.
The 38 year old Fourie registered the new benchmark, in the process banking the Hollywoodbets Delpech 334 Challenge Incentive bonus of R1 million.
In a defining moment for South African sport, the winner raced in partnership by golfing legend Gary Player (also owner of newly crowned SA Horse Of The Year, Dave The King), Suzette Viljoen and Dave McLean.
At the commencement of the 2023/24 season, Hollywoodbets ignited unprecedented interest in the chase for a new national record when South Africa’s leading international sportsbook operator offered a record R1 million incentive for the first rider to break the Delpech record.
Fourie is currently priced up at 9-10 with Hollywoodbets to complete the championship double.
Sean Veale and Muzi Yeni have chalked up 18 and 14 winners respectively, against the reigning champion’s 3 winners, which were all achieved on the rain delayed Hollywoodbets Durbanville racemeeting of 1 August.
Fourie has been on holiday since, and is expected to return at month end.
