Gavin Lerena wins International Jockeys Challenge

Racing. It's a Rush: Press Release







South African Champion Jockey Gavin Lerena grabbed his first opportunity to ride in Hong Kong with both hands today when winning the last two legs of the International Jockeys Challenge at a wet Happy Valley racecourse and this made him the overall winner.

Lerena beat eleven other world class jockeys which included Ryan Moore, Joao “Magic” Moreira, ex-pat South African Douglas Whyte, Brett Prebble, Victor Espinoza, Hugh Bowman, Silvestre de Souza, Derek KC Leung, Keita Kosaki, Maxine Guyon and James McDonald.

In the first race of the four-legged series, a class 4 handicap over 1650m, he finished sixth on the 14/1 shot, the John Moore-trained Happy Moments. This race was won by De Souza with Moore second and Tosaki third.

In the second race, Lerena finished seventh on the 10/1 chance, the Manfred Man Ka-Leung-trained Noble De Man. Moore won the race to move into the lead and Tosaki finished second and Leung third.

In the third race Lerena got up by a short-head in a thriller aboard the 8.1/1 chance, the Peter Ho-trained Mr Right, denying Guyon with Whyte in third.

Moore finished fifth in that race and Tosaki ninth so there was now all to play for.

Lerena was aboard the Derek Cruz-trained 13/2 shot Superol and deserved the title after a world class ride. When caught wide from a draw of eight he eased his mount back with soft hands and this allowed him to find cover without expending any of the horse’s energy. As the commentator said Superol then got “a lovely trail into the race”. Lerena crept up on the final turn before driving his mount into the lead. He punched the air as he crossed the line 0,75 lengths clear of Joao Moreira’s mount, knowing he had clinched the Challenge. What a far cry from that heart-breaking day at Kenilworth in 2012 when he started the day leading the championships and was pipped at the post by Anton Marcus. Like a true champion he got off the floor and won South Africa’s highest riding accolade three years later and with today’s win he now has the world at his feet as the powers that be in arguably the world’s most lucrative racing centre are sure to have noticed his brilliance.

Lerena accumulated 24 points in total and Moore and Tosaki finished second and third respectively.

Champion -

I was posting on another thread but this was truly a brilliant achievement well done Gavin you made SA punters very proud

Gavin you absolute champ... Not only CHAMP, but gentleman.... Your donations per victory you have contibuted, are but a mere display of the horse loving person you are... Keep riding like the champ you are!!!! Well done!!!

"It is fantastic to win because they are a great bunch of guys and there is a lot of respect among the jockeys out there," said Lerena, who was having his first look at the unique urban switchback of Happy Valley.

"It is a very fair track and I think this is the place to be. The racing is fantastic and the crowd is electric. It is a great atmosphere which is something a few places have lost."

Well done Gavin. You have a great career ahead too.

Wow

World Class Jockey and person..when he's on a horse you know you in with a big chance!! Don't stay here like some others Gav push hard to get to HK mate.

great news which we really need today . Proof of what South Africans can achieve given the opportunity

Congrats to Gavin,i'm sure the doors will open up for you worldwide,grab the chance while you can, fill your bank balance with euros and pounds.

zoro wrote: Congrats to Gavin,i'm sure the doors will open up for you worldwide,grab the chance while you can, fill your bank balance with euros and pounds.

More likely dollars...
Well done...took those last two rides of his...

He is very close to becoming the best rider in SA. He has now put himself in the shop window and if I were his agent I would be on the blower to as many trainers in the UK or Australia. He can only improve if he dines at the same table as the giants of racing. Great things await him if he so wishes. My one tip to him is to have a sit down with the greatest, Ryan Moore, and pick his brains. Moore will be willing to share his knowledge.