Jockey Richard Fourie pushed his body to ‘breaking point’ to set new SA horse racing standard

Fourie celebrates another win. Photo: Chase Liebenberg

By Yanga Sibembe

23 Jun 2024

Jockey Richard Fourie recently made South African horse racing history. He is hoping to add to his achievements.

When he was younger, Richard Fourie’s elder brother used to joke that, because of his petit physique, he was destined to be a professional horse rider. Little did he know that he was planting a seed in his little brother’s mind.

Decades later Fourie is not only a jockey, but a recent achievement has also ensured that he will be remembered as one of the greatest South Africans to mount a horse for sport.

In the ongoing 2023/24 South African horse racing season, Fourie has made his mark as the first jockey to ride more than 335 winners in a single campaign. This milestone was reached on 8 June. Fourie has since added to his record (now 346) and has a few more weeks to continue plumping it up.

Through his exhilarating form this season, Fourie has broken a long-standing record that had appeared infallible. Legendary South African jockey Anthony Delpech rode an astonishing 334 winners during the 1998/99 season, snapping a record previously held by Piere Strydom.

Up stepped Fourie to make both these memorable figures of South African horse racing look like shirkers. In the process he also clinched the SA Jockeys Championship title for the first time. He finished second last season, behind Keagan De Melo.

Strategic onslaught

“We had a gameplan to try and achieve 300 winners, so that we can win the championship for the first time. It was quite ironic that I won [my record-breaking race] on a horse owned, in partnership, by the legendary [golfer] Gary Player, which is called Double Grand Slam,” Fourie told Daily Maverick.

For his efforts, Fourie walked away with R1-million courtesy of Hollywoodbets. The betting company had announced the financial reward at the beginning of the season to reignite public interest in the sport – as well as to motivate the riders.

“It was never about the money. Like I said, when we started the season, our plan was to get 300 winners. I felt that was a realistic target at the time. To reach your personal goals outweighs any sort of financial reward. Then to break the South African record? That feeling alone is rewarding. To become part of history. That’s the biggest joy. The financial prize is just the cherry on the cake,” said Fourie.

Read more in Daily Maverick: Enthusiastic duo saddles up to save horse racing in the Western Cape

Delpech was full of praise for the man who eclipsed his impressive record: “I know how tough it is to travel and keep one’s shoulder to the wheel for so many months. It’s absolutely exhausting mentally and physically. Richard has made us all proud and shown himself to be a champion of enormous talent and mental strength. I am thrilled for him, and all of those that supported him.”

Delpech, who retired in 2019 after a career-ending injury, was one of Fourie’s biggest supporters during this historic season.

Carletonville-born Fourie said the respected rider this season had shared a number of tips with him on how to truly tap into your potential as a jockey.

Jockey Richard Fourie Richard Fourie celebrates another win. (Photo: Chase Liebenberg)

“He was so helpful. He gave me insight on how to travel. How to nourish your body,” Fourie said. “He told me that you have to push your body to almost breaking point.

“The information and guidance that he gave me throughout the season… I could not be more grateful. The hints and the ideas on how to stay positive… He was paramount.”

Fourie said: “It’s a great honour holding the new South African race record and knowing that he helped me achieve this major goal in racing history.”

Priceless Nicol

Another important figure to Fourie managing this impressive season is agent Ken Nicol. The self-set target of 300 seemed far-fetched early in the season, especially since Fourie had a mere 32 winners after the first two months of the campaign.

He credits Nicol with ensuring that his record-breaking feat was a possibility by always picking the perfect horses for him to ride. The pair has been working in tandem for three years, during which they have built a good relationship and good business etiquette. His success is mainly because Nicol “is very good at what he does. And I’m half-decent at what I do,” Fourie said.

He was introduced to horse racing by his friend Corrie Jooste, and joined the South African Jockey Academy in KwaZulu-Natal at the age of 16. There he was trained by Vincent Curtis. Though Curtis is retired, he still follows Fourie’s career avidly.

“If I ride a bad race, he’s the first one to give me a good bollocking,” said Fourie.

Trade secrets

Sharing other secrets about how he managed to break the record, Fourie said it was essential to know how to manage your schedule. “The most important thing is rest. You race eight or nine times a day. Then you get on a plane, where you try to get as much sleep as possible. Because you’re not going home. You’re going to the next city,” said the jockey, who has three daughters.

“We’re just city-hopping most of the time. So, you try to rest wherever you can. Eight hours of sleep a day [is imperative]. Even if it’s broken sleep. Then, of course, staying mentally sharp and physically fit is also important,” he added.

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He is based in Durbanville in Cape Town. He is looking forward to the Durban July, which he has won three times, including consecutive victories in 2019 and 2020. His first victory came 10 years ago, in 2014, when he rode Legislate to success.

This time he will mount Future Swing, in the hope of adding to his haul of wins in South Africa’s most prestigious horse racing event.

“I’m very excited. It’s South Africa’s biggest race and showcases our best thoroughbreds. I’ve done a few and I’ve won three Durban Julys. It’s every young jockey’s dream to win that race,” Fourie said.

“Nothing is bigger than that. Your first win is your biggest one ever. You’ll never feel that feeling in your life ever again. Cloud nine is not even the right phrase.”

By the time he arrives at the Durban July, Fourie may be well over 400 winners at the rate he is going. He will approach the race as just another event to add to his already remarkable campaign, which officially ends on 31 July. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.

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South Africa

Strategic onslaught

Priceless Nicol

Trade secrets