Cape Jockeys giving back!

Racing. It's a Rush Press Release

Subject: Cape Jockeys giving back!

Date: 13 October 2015

The efforts of the members of the Coastal Jockeys Association, led by jockeys MJ Byleveld and Greg Cheyne, to raise money for two worthy causes, the Western Cape Equine Trust and the Western Province Groom School, led to Durbanville's biggest crowd of the season on Saturday and consequently an amount of R40,000 was raised for each charity concern.

A number of sponsors jumped at the opportunity to support the Coastal Jockeys Association Charity Raceday and they included RICHARD FOURIE, AUSTRALASIAN BLOODSTOCK, MAURITZFONTEIN STUD, CAPE THOROUGHBRED SALES, ORATORIO (Avontuur Stud), LYRIC CONSULTING, DARKHORSEWHEELS.COM, DRAKENSTEIN STUD, GREEN STREET BLOODSTOCK, THE SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL FARRIERS, PAT SHAW RACING and CC EQUINE THERAPIST.

MJ Byleveld was happy with the outcome and added, "There is a lot of improvement to come and I think it will be bigger and better next year." The highlight of the event was the jockeys chase sponsored by The South African Association of Professional Farriers. The favourite Aldo Domeyer recaptured his title but was given a run for his money by the late entry, Donavan Mansour.

The Charity Raceday looks set to become entrenched in the Western Cape's racing calendar. Families were well catered for and there was a festive atmosphere on course throughout the day, which continued into the evening in the World Cup rugby beer garden.

The racing was also of a high standard and the Mike Bass-trained Silvano filly Silver Mountain emerged as a horse who could make an impact on the Summer Of Champions Season. The tiny filly took a hefty bump from a loose horse shortly after the start of the Lyric Consulting Handicap over 1400m but this didn't perturb her at all and she received a rousing cheer when her tremendous acceleration took her clear in the closing stages under a cool, calm and collected Aldo Domeyer.

The Western Cape Equine Trust was established as a non-profit organisation to improve the well-being of horses that came into their care. Through the funding a Horse Care Unit was opened and in 2010 a project called REHORP was established, in which ex-racehorses are donated to the Trust's care and, after being "let down" and schooled, they are re-homed to suitable caring owners.

The Groom School uplifts grooms through education and also aims to improve the standards of service they provide to the racing industry through such learning programs as stable management, horse care and riding.

Proud of the Cape boys, wish I coulda been there to support!

Well done to the boys from the kaap

Well done chaps!!