Goose’s ‘Goya’ Is Working For Brevan!

Former KZN-based 2,5kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies is proud to be something of a pioneer, together with his 4kg claiming colleague Sifisokuhle ‘Ncale’ Bungane, as the SA Jockey Academy re-opened its Cape Town ‘branch’ in Bloubergstrand this month.

“It’s a true honour and a privilege to be given this opportunity and I intend to take the chances with both hands,” enthuses Brevan in a chat with the Sporting Post after he had completed his engagements at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday.

The Pretoria-born rider has made massive strides since breaking the ice at his fourth ride under rules on 13 August 2023 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. He booted Sea Vista home for Michael Roberts in a domestic pressure situation that saw his much-loved Granny Essie leading a crowd-swelling group of family and friends on course in the KZN Capital City.

“Granny Essie had travelled the hour plus from Ixopo and I felt the pressure not to let them down. That was a beautiful day,” recalls Brevan as he fast forwards the clock to the present day.

We made the observation that he has come out of his shell and was a good few lengths more polished in his delivery in our interview.

“I have had 26 chances for live practice in my post-race interviews. And I must thank Mr Warren Lenferna who coached us on how to conduct oneself in front of the camera.”

On his move to the Cape, Brevan tells that after two weeks he is loving the environment.  That’s a surprise, given the relative scenic surrounds of Summerveld versus that of the more urbanized ‘factory’ look of Milnerton.

“The air, the people and the environment at Milnerton are fantastic,” waxes Brevan, as he stresses that his praise of his new hometown should not been seen as a slap in the face of the many trainers who had helped him at Summerveld.

“I hope I don’t leave anybody out but people like Mr Lafferty, Mr Puller, Mr Govender and Mr Ferrie really did their bit to motivate and support me. I am forever indebted to them!”

We asked if he has ever ridden work in the middle of July at Milnerton.

“I can handle the cold!” he laughs as he points out that he goes to scale at 49,5 kgs and has also never had 8 rides at one racemeeting in his career.

“On Wednesday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth I had a card of 8 rides! That’s a career record for me! The trainers at Milnerton have been welcoming and seem pleased to have Sifiso and I dashing from ring to ring. And I must mention Mr Louis Goosen at this point. His ‘Golden Eggs’ lectures at Summerveld have realigned our attitudes and there have been mindshifts of note. We all practice the ‘Goosen Goya’ principle!” laughs Brevan in a reference to the veteran trainer cum motivational speaker’s ‘get off your a#*e’ lectures at Summerveld.

Read more about the Goose’s Golden Eggs 

Brevan and Sifiso walked the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth track last week.

“I rode a winner last season at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth so got the feel of the course then. Like any racecourse it has its unique characteristics. The more we practice, the better we will become.”

Brevan, who is one of five children, says that since his Mom Vanessa and his sister are resident in Gordon’s Bay, the move to the Cape also affords him the opportunity to spend more time with his family. The Plaatjies family moved to KZN from Eersterus in Pretoria when Brev was very young. They moved around and sadly his Dad died when he was just 10.

“With racing postponed on Saturday, I was allowed the chance to visit them. That was really nice,” says the former Ixopo schoolboy, who became a jockey when his Uncle Jules Bezuidenhout pointed him in the direction of a sport that would ultimately change his life.

He started at the SA Jockey Academy in April 2022 and from nervous beginnings, he says with conviction that he really wouldn’t be doing anything else.

While the Cape Academy is expected to grow over time, Brevan says that he and Sifiso are getting on like a ‘house on fire’ under the guidance of Riding Master Vince Curtis.

“We are similar personalities. We are both quiet. We don’t need attention or noise. We go for walks on the beautiful beach here and are thoroughly enjoying it. I am so thankful to the Management of the SA Jockey Academy and Mr Curtis for believing in me and for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime.”