Felix Coetzee retires

My own personal story about "Felix"
about 25 years ago I wanted to take a bet on a midweek KZN meeting but did not have a card at home - Heathen that I was I looked for heavenly guidance and opened The Bible as my form guide- I decided to back any thing that stood out on the page - The name FELIX was the first I saw and I took that as a sign - I walked into the tote and looked over a fellows newspaper - I backed Felix to win and took sw with Jeff Lloyd and both arrived - Walked out and have never used the Good Book as a form guide again - What a great jock and TRUE horseman - I really do hope he is invited to talk to the appies at the academy as his work ethic would help many of them achieve their potential.

Great jockey and I'm sure he will be a great trainer!

Amazing guy to meet and have a chat with, I once gave him a lift and was humbled after watching open the car door for his domestic worker when she jumped in and when we stopped at a bus stop he jumped of the car and opened the doors again for her to get off . A true gentlemen and master horseman!

My first favorite jockey was Felix altough at that time he was already in Hong Kong. Should eagerly await his arrival back in South Africa. My best memory of him is when he rode Savannah Queen as a 2yo old at Clairwood Park for Clodagh Shaw and getting up near the post after just returning from Hong Kong. That was a top class ride like so many of his wins in his brilliant career. A legend you are Felix. Happy retirement.

I remember Felix Coetzee as an appie riding one of his father's horses many years ago, Aberconway it was, seems just like yesterday.
However the son of Hennie Coetzee soared to great heights and formed one of the most formidable combinations in S.A. Racing history when he joined the Terence Millard stable in Cape Town.

Together they won nearly every feature race in the country and when Felix went to ride in Hong Kong, he also excelled and one of his top horses was the Legendary Silent Witness who was partnered by Felix to 17 straight consecutive wins including GR1 Sprints in Hong Kong and Japan.

He will definitely make a successful trainer having worked with the " Millard Magic " where he was like an assistant trainer, in the stable.

A true joc especially when da money was down u thrived in da Millard era hopin u enjoy ur retirement but I'm still tryin to figure out how AL MUFTI lost. Take care Felix da Cat

royal president Wrote:

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> A true joc especially when da money was down u
> thrived in da Millard era hopin u enjoy ur
> retirement but I'm still tryin to figure out how
> AL MUFTI lost. Take care Felix da Cat

Al Mufti was ridden by Mark Sutherland and not Felix.

He probably refers to Fools Holme in the July when Occult ridden by Bartie Leisher went start to finish and Felix failed to catch him in the straight.

Felix was very upset at having run 2nd to the not so fancied stable companion who was the supposed pacemaker in the race!!!

Silent Witness

Thanks Titch, Silent Witness is the horse i remember him for

An absolutely amazing and thorough gentleman.Had the privelege of enjoying his company when he returned from overseas to ride for Basil.Here I was a complete stranger and he had no qualms talking about his riding experiences overseas. I stood in awe as he went on and on .Boy can he tell stories.A joy to listen to.Enjoy the retirement Felix and stay out the thick sand until the hip has fully recovered.

Rocket Man, the Singapore Star sprinter is another horse that Felix has ridden to GR1 victories in Singapore, Hong Kong and The Golden Shaheen in Dubai on Dubai World Cup night.

all good things come to an end! great stuff Felix, all the best with your retirement, looking forward to seeing you in a new role in racing?