Following the example of his national log-leading colleague Richard Fourie, who left the Snaith team in 2023 to freelance, former Cape Champion Aldo Domeyer will no longer be stable rider to the Bass-Robinson yard.
Making the announcement on Friday, Domeyer, who celebrates his 37th birthday on Monday 11 March, told the Sporting Post that after discussions with the powerful yard, he had made the decision to spread his wings and freelance.
Top jockey Aldo Domeyer – spreading his wings (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“I have had discussions with Candice (Bass-Robinson) and, while I will continue to make myself available for rides when required, I will no longer be their stable jockey.”
One of the strongest riders in the country, Aldo is ‘on the grind’ with his champion Dad Andrew Fortune, a former national champion who is on the comeback trail.
Aldo confirms that he working hard to get his riding weight down to 56kg by the end of March.
“Thereafter, I will be lacing up my boots and start getting around the country. Maybe Richard Fourie gets an international call-up at the end of this season, so that I can have a serious tilt at the national title!” he smiled, confirming at the same time that he does not make use of an agent.
Aldo has been best known in recent years as the pilot of the now retired champion, Charles Dickens.
Popular pair! Charles Dickens and Aldo Domeyer (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
With over 1200 career winners to his credit, including 11 Grade 1 victories, he enjoys a win strike-rate of 21% – on a par with Fourie – and has a national title best finish of a third in 2017/18 behind Lyle Hewitson and Muzi Yeni.
He has ridden internationally with success, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Mauritius.
Aldo grew up with 4 brothers and 3 sisters on the mean streets of Elsies River in the Cape.
In 2003, he was considered ‘not good enough’ by his riding masters at the South African Jockey Academy, but his determination saw him return a few years later. He rode over 200 winners in his four-year apprenticeship – an outstanding comeback!
Today ‘Doey’, or ‘The Hitman’, as some know him, includes the J&B Met on his big race credits, and is a powerful ally in any tight finish!
