Rachel takes giant leap into the future

Danie Toerien

Rachel Venniker, South Africa’s only female jockey, will join a star-studded international cast in Saudi Arabia on Friday where she will participate in the Saudi Cup International Jockeys Challenge.

For The 22-year-old, this is a dream come true.

“I am super excited,” said the two-time champion apprentice. “I am absolutely over the moon.

“It’s not just my first time riding overseas, it will actually be my first time travelling abroad.

“Just the idea of going overseas is a dream come true.”

The highlight of her trip to Saudi Arabia, is the fact that she will be meeting her childhood-idol, jockey Ryan Moore.

“I’ve been watching Ryan ride from a young age and I’ve always thought he is amazing.

“Now I not only get the opportunity to meet him, but I will also be riding alongside him. It’s still quite unbelievable.”

Moore is a three-time England champion jockey and along with three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Damien Oliver will be the main drawcards at the International Jockeys Challenge.

“As exciting as it is, I must admit it I am equally nervous,” said Venniker. “I’m leaving on Monday. Fortunately, my mother (Marian) is joining me so I won’t be heading off into the unknown all on my own.

“It’s a completely different environment, but we do have the opportunity to ride work on Thursday. It will give me the opportunity to get myself oriented.

“Unfortunately, the draw to determine our rides will only be done on Wednesday. I like to prepare by watching race replays of the horses I will be riding, but it might be difficult.”

HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khaled Alfaisal, Chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, extended a warm welcome to all jockeys competing in the International Jockeys Challenge.

“The jockeys challenge on the Friday of Saudi Cup weekend is always one of the event highlights for me,” he said.

“We are justifiably proud of the variety of racing showcased across the two days. To be in a position to offer a global stage to 14 of the world’s best jockeys, seven men and seven women, is highly gratifying.

“We wish the best of luck to all the jockeys competing and hope that their feats on the racecourse serve to inspire new generations of riders both in Saudi Arabia and beyond.”

Other jockeys commandeered to participate in the International Jockeys Challenge are Ryusei Sakai and Maryline Eon.

Two domestic stars in action will eight-times Saudi Champion Camilo Ospina, and current title holder Adel Alfouraidi.

The female jockeys include France’s Eon, who was in 2017 the first female to participate in the French Oaks, a year after being voted the country’s top female rider.

She is joined by New Zealand’s returning Lisa Allpress who starred in 2020 when she became the first woman to win a flat race in Saudi Arabia.

Allpress is a four-times leading rider in her home country, with further antipodean interest coming from the Sydney-based Alysha Collet – who boasts more than 700 wins to her name.

The USA is represented by Katie Davies, a rider hailing from a legendary family of jockeys. She had a breakout year in 2023 upon returning from becoming a mother. The US challenge is boosted by Luis Saez – winner of more than 3,000 races and more than $165million who returns to defend his 2023 IJC crown.

Current French champion jockey Maxime Guyon and Japan’s Ryusei Sakai, a jockey no stranger to success in Saudi Arabia having steered Bathrat Leon to victory in last year’s 1351 Turf Sprint will also take part in King ABdulaziz Racecourse’s fifth IJC.

Also in the line-up is Brazil’s Victoria Mota, the 24-year-old daughter of top Brazilian jockey Alex Mota. She was champion apprentice in 2016/17 and has now ridden over 250 winners.

Bred along similar lines to Mota, Britain’s Saffie Osborne is the final name to be announced and the daughter of UK trainer and former jockey, Jamie. She has more than 160 wins to her name and was part of the female team which triumphed at last year’s Shergar Cup competition at Ascot. – Additional information supplied by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia