Felix Coetzee is coming home!

Check home page, can he make a difference to Clan Classique?

FELIX COETZEE, the South African jockey who has been riding in Hong Kong for the past 16 years and earned fame through partnerships with champions such as Silent Witness and Helene Mascot, is to leave the far east in favour of returning home to South Africa to continue his career.

In a press conference during the meeting at Happy Valley on Wednesday, Coetzee said: "It's certainly a tough and difficult decision. The past 16 years was just wonderful to me. I would like to extend my thanks to the support of owners, trainers and stewards of the Hong Kong Jockey club.


"Nevertheless, my wife, daughter and son are in South Africa now. As a husband and father, it's my obligation to stay with them, and I just can't leave them alone.


"It's hard for me to concentrate on riding these days. Although originally my plan was to go back after the season finishes in July next year, it's very clear I can't carry on with that.

"Some may think my departure is because of the five-day suspension I've just had. It's simply not true.

"When you have a chance to go away and observe some other racing jurisdiction around the world, you know how well the Hong Kong Jockey Club organise its racing. I think the stewards treated me fair over the years."

Asked about his future plans, the 49-year-old old replied: "I still think I have few years to go as a jockey, and I am aware clearly how difficult it is to be trainer outside Hong Kong.

"Therefore, I will stick to riding horses back home. Hopefully, I will come back to ride some day in the future."

Bill Nader, executive director of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: "Felix Coetzee is an important asset of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. He has already won 643 races, including numerous Group 1 races in Hong Kong, an achievement that not many jockeys are able to reach. We all wish him the best of luck in the future."

Hi Scotia, I see the thread posted at 04h42 - were you up early or gettting home late?

Good morning Brent, I am on holiday, and don't sleep on holidays!

Returning to Cape Town and going to ride for a small stable?
Question is Millard about to make a comeback?
Interesting times!

As I said before, nothing like home

.

He is down to ride Tuna Cowboy for the Marcus stable in the Cape Summer Stayers Handicap on December 27th, so Batman could be on the money. It will be great to have Felix back. He's a superb rider, a nice bloke, and not afraid to keep learning - witness his trips to the Horse Whisperer's ranch.

I mean, how many jockeys do you know who spend their holidays riding horses??

Someone's got to give Andrew some competition in CT....BMR and FC could make a formidable team.

He can ride for me anyday! With or without his white crop.

Hell - I'm old enough to remember when he arrived in the Cape and was appy to the late Theo De Klerk. Did he EVER butcher a few rides in those days! His whip action was all over the place.

Then he moved to Millard following Bert Abercrombie's retirement and Herbie Lasker's suicide. I think the maestro taught him a lot. I don't think he was Millard's first choice. Karl Neisius had a short term as stable elect but it did not appear to work out. Felix grabbed his chance and prospered.

Good read at racing.scmp.com

Lucky make the call - lol!

With Fortune up and firing, and Hatt back in town, Coetzee and Neisius...now I'm really looking forward to the Cape season. Just in the nick of time if you ask me! Visits from striker, Marcus and Shea... what races we should have.