Sunday meetings give an opportunity for some different names to get on the scoresheet at Meydan Racecourse and jockey Francois Herholdt had plenty to celebrate after riding his first UAE winner for more than 20 years – followed quickly by his second.
Herholdt rounded off a cracking weekend for SA Jockey Academy graduates which stretched from New Zealand to Hong Kong and into Dubai!
Successful in Dubai back in 2001, when racing took place at the Nad Al Sheba track, this was a first Meydan win for the South African, who is based in Ras Al Khaimah with trainer Rashed Bouresly.
Fransie Herholdt steers the SA-bred Celtic Voyager to victory to round off a double (Pic – Dubai Racing Club)
Riding Invincibly in the featured Lincoln Navigator Handicap, over 2000metres on turf, they were one of several partnerships to win from the front on the seven-race card. Kicking clear in the final furlong, the five-year-old was too strong at the line for second Poster Paint and hot favourite Sense Of Wisdom, who flew home too late under William Buick.
Herholdt, who originally travelled to the UAE to work for trainer Mike De Kock, was elated by the win, saying: “I’ve raced across the world and I’ve never ridden at a place as beautiful as Meydan, to win here under the lights is awesome, it’s one off the bucket list.”
Herholdt made it two later on, giving trainer Mohammad Mardood his first win when guiding Celtic Voyager to success in the closing Lincoln Presidential Handicap, over 1200m on turf.
Mardood, a graduate of the Godolphin Masar programme, is in his first season with a licence and inherited Celtic Voyager from De Kock, to whom he was formerly assistant.
The gelding had been well-beaten on his most recent start, over course and distance two weeks ago, but despite drifting towards the standside rail he was able to reel in Persian Empire by a neck.
Trained by Glen Kotzen in South Africa, the Maine Chance-bred Listed Umngeni Handicap winner is a son of Vercingetorix and ran in the colours of Justin Vermaak’s Greenstreet Bloodstock here.
“I’m very happy for Mohammad. It’s his first winner and all the owners are here,” said Herholdt.
“Let’s hope this will open the door for more winners for him. He [Celtic Voyager] jumped out a little sluggish but when I asked him for an effort he shot through.”
Of his own plans, he added: “This will be my last season riding as jockey. I’ve got a good opportunity as a work rider in China.”
