Henk Steenkamp
Richard Fourie had a record-breaking season but don’t forget about the other champion jockey in the stable of the East Cape champion trainer Alan Greeff.
Kendall Minnie plays a massive role in the success of the Greeff yard.
He contributed hugely to the success of Cape Town based Fourie, who had great results riding for Greeff at the Fairview meetings in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Minnie did not only help Fourie to break records but also made sure Greeff clinched the East Cape trainers title for 2023/24.
But there was also an individual achievement Minnie could celebrate at the end of the season.
He was crowned as the local East Cape Champion jockey. Minnie has been the Champion Apprentice before but it is the first time that he is the local champion.
Greeff always includes a big thank you to Minnie when he talks about the team effort in the accomplishments of his stable.
Minnie agrees team work is a huge factor.
“We are all team players. Champion trainer, Champion jockey and Champion local jockey made it a wonderful season for the stable.
“Every winner counted. I am glad I good played my part,” Minnie says.
“This has been a tough season. Charles Ndlovu and I had to sacrifice some rides considering Richard was chasing the championship and season record.
“I was deeply involved in the team effort to achieve that. We had to be at our best throughout the entire season, concentrate all the time.
“The stable went through a flat spot at one stage. It was back to the drawing board to see where things had gone wrong.
“It has been hectic but we got the job done,” he explains.
Minnie is chuffed that he won the local title, something he was aiming for.
“I started the season with the mindset that I wanted to be the local champion. As a local doing the hard work it was great to finally get rewarded.
“There was a lean spell for me during the season but my wife (former jockey Justine King) just urged me on to keep doing my best,” he adds.
Minnie won the title with 14 wins, followed by Yuzae Ramzan (12) and Ndlovu (10).
“The title race was tight. I feel I’ve done well and definitely will give it another go this season.
“But it is not just about winning a race and then going home. Every winner is a celebration, a memorable achievement.
“When you do the hard work and have a winner on race day, it helps to keep you focused. It gives you confidence.
“A winner makes me excited again. It makes me want to get up in the mornings and do things,” Minnie says.
He acknowledges it is frustrating to ride good horses at work but don’t get to ride them in the races.
“When I do get a chance to ride them, I know exactly what to do. Most of my winners are with horses which I knew from working with them.
“I must make the best of those opportunities and the best part is to bring them home in a race.”
Speaking about his role at the Greeff yard, Minnie says it stretches way further than riding work in the mornings.
“I go back to the stables to check on the horses’ legs, clean scratches, bandage a horse when needed, see what bridle is best for a horse, things like that.
“I love doing it. I am basically shadowing Alan and giving him feedback about the horses every day.
“I can answer him when he asks if a horse is ready to race, or which race will suit the horse or does it need another gallop before his next race, stuff like that, stable management. It’s all hands on deck.”
When asked what the highlight of the season was for him, Minnie replies quickly.
“Winning the Derby with Joy And Peace. I ride her at work every single morning and wanted that one chance to ride her in a race.
“I am grateful that opportunity came in that race, not just any race, but the Derby.
“Joy And Peace has a beautiful action and a lovely temperament. Stepping up in distance was when she showed her best.”
He recalls that winning ride in May: “In the race I didn’t panic. I was happy with my position at the back.
“There was a blistering pace and I could sit and see how the race unfolded. I just followed the right horses and then counted them down.
“The way I rode her at work was how I rode her in the Derby.
“She is a decent filly and can go places,” Minnie feels.
He has been lucky not to have picked up any serious injuries in his career and plan to continue riding as long as he can.
“The body does take strain, the aches and pains, and I am extremely tired at times.
“There are the other frustrations also, like watching what I eat when I am riding light, but luckily Justine understands all of that.
“We understand each other very well and being around horses always eases the mind.”
Kendall and Justine’s firstborn is due to arrive in just over a month’s time.
“That will change things,” he says with a smile while Justine interrupts to tell Kendall he will have to work even harder then.
“Yes, there will be sleepless nights but I will do my utmost best to keep the title,” Minnie promises.
There is always pressure on any champion and Minnie would welcome a sponsor to help him defend his title.
Interested parties can contact him via email on kminniejockey@gmail.com