What is the big fuss about the Jockeys Title??

Yes a year ago I stated that I would be South Africa's next champion. I took a step back and realised what I had said. What a challenge - not to the world but to myself. As the season draws to an end I have realised that the bigger picture is about so much more. I have proven to myself that with the right focus, direction and dedication anything is possible. I have learnt so much about myself, my priorities have changed. Two years ago the furthest thing from my mind was my weight problem, now its one of my first priorities, and yes I am battling with it. Recovery still comes first for me. If I don't stay clean none of this is possible. I'm sitting here today in a cold Cape Town and I'm clean and THAT is a Miracle. Yes I would like to win the championship, and yes I think I deserve to as I have worked the hardest. I was at the airport the other day, and somebody came up to me and told me that they have changed their life - he had studied further and has been offered a job overseas - by following my career, and that made me feel proud of myself. For me its not about who's the best jockey but about changing peoples lives. Letting people see that anything is possible.

Well done Andrew and we wish you all the best for the future, for me you are already a winner.

keep it up

Dave

Well said Andrew...You have come back from the brink and probably further than most of us could imagine or have been.You also have the x- factor and star quality that God only dishes out on rare occasions.

You're a genius and will be remembered and spoken about long after the sun has set on this century.

Keep it up Bud.

Cheers

Please ride another 30 winners by end July.

Well done on your achievement.

ha ha sylvester - you have a great sense of humour!! i'm trying to work out what will win it - 30 will definitely do it. but the last month has been probably my hardest month. I think as my faith has got stronger so the challenges have grown bigger. I have got a 10 day suspension and my first priority is to get my weight under some sort of control as I constantly battle with it. I thought that when I put down the drugs everything would be ok - but that's only the tip of the iceberg. I do believe though that when the pain gets enough I will go for help cos that is what I need. And for all the addicts out there battling with addiction .... i have always been one of those believers that if you can stay clean for one hour you can get recovery. I've done it and never thought I could!!

Well said Andrew one day at a time you're becoming a real man.

Keep up the good work, as Dave says you are already a champion win, lose or draw.

Respectfully, Jim.

Shot Andrew but you still can't hit a golf ball further than me.
We're all pulling for you.
Keep your head down boet and see you at Royal Durban after the July.

Andrew, I think you have shown to all that you retain your undoubted skills and are able to win the title. The title in itself is perhaps the least important issue. To many, your personal wellbeing and 'role model' functions are of more importance than a 'title'. So go well!!

Andrew, this was an old post, are you in a position to answer some of the questions?

txs

Q nd A with Andy Fortune
Posted by: A_Paul_Ling
Date: March 20, 2009 08:54PM

Andy will be on line to answer any quetions tht we my have for him whilst he is on suspension


Re: Q nd A with Andy Fortune
Posted by: hibernia ()
Date: March 20, 2009 09:20PM

good stuff looking forward to this i will kick it of..

Does he have any aspirations to ride abroad uk/europe?

and if so will he keep me in mind for his driver.(ok last bit semi sensible,but it is me)

Re: Q nd A with Andy Fortune
Posted by: mister a ()
Date: March 20, 2009 09:50PM

andy what was your best ride to-date and why

who did you rate as the best sa riders since you've been riding name one from the past and one current other than yourself

who was the best sprinter and the best stayer you have ridden and the best horse you have seen in action


Re: Q nd A with Andy Fortune
Posted by: scotia ()
Date: March 21, 2009 06:37AM

If you were not a jockey what else would you have liked to do?

Re: Q nd A with Andy Fortune
Posted by: scotia ()
Date: March 21, 2009 07:13AM

Favourite?

Food
Drink
Band/singer
Team
Movie
Holiday
Heros


Re: Q nd A with Andy Fortune
Posted by: Yeldah ()
Date: March 21, 2009 09:33AM

Will you please ride Clan Classique for us in her next couple of races?

Thanks in advance!


Re: Q nd A with Andy Fortune
Posted by: Alcaponee ()
Date: March 21, 2009 09:51AM

Were you dissapointed with Buy and Sells performance in the July. I was at the track on the public gallop day and I felt that he was the stand out of the bunch. why did you not get the ride and will you have a ride in this years July?

Shoulders back chest out,be proud of yourself...

Aspirations to ride overseas - I would probably prefer to ride in Hong Kong - Dougie has been on top for a while and someone needs to knock him off his throne ha ha.

Best Ride to date - I have always thought Free My Heart in the Derby. He never stayed a yard further than 2000 and that day I helped him every step of the way to get up and win a short head over 2400.

Best SA riders past and present - South Africa has had alot of great jockeys - I could easily mention 10 but my top 3 are - Jeff with a narrow margin - Pierre and Weichong, all three are naturals. and a mention for Felix for his dedication

Best Sprinter ridden - Golden Taipan - I haven't really ridden many sprinters
Best Stayer ridden - not ridden great stayers but what I have seen - Illustrador
Best Horse seen in action - Horse Chestnut

If not a jockey what would I be?? Not given it much thought really - today I would say - something that I could help others in some sort of way cause I just love seeing people smile when things really seem hopeless.

Favourite
Food - Ha Ha - not a very fussy eater - suppose if I can half chew it I would swallow it!!
Drink - I don't drink alcohol at all - although still miss a beer shandy
Band/singer - celine dion
Team - Man U - who else??
Movie - Man on Fire
Holiday - Mauritius
Heros - something I have always searched for - and then I found one in me

Thanks very much Andrew, well appreciated.