Domeyer in call-up for Challenge

LEADING South African jockey Andrew Fortune has had to withdraw from taking part in this year’s Air Mauritius International Jockeys Challenge.

The two-legged series takes place at Port Elizabeth’s Fairview next Friday before heading to Turffontein on the Sunday.

His slot in the South African team has been handed to Aldo Domeyer, which reinforces the youthful look of this year’s team to take on a strong visiting contingent that includes Frankie Dettori and Hayley Turner.

Racing Association chief executive Larry Wainstein said: “We are thrilled to announce that Aldo will be involved in the Air Mauritius International Jockeys’ Challenge this year.

“While it’s unfortunate that Andrew Fortune won’t be able to take part in this year’s event, this does offer an opportunity to another one of South Africa’s young talents to showcase his skills against some of the world’s best.”

The evergreen Piere Strydom was approached to fill the role but unfortunately had to decline due to prior commitments.

The remainder of the International team sees Fergus Sweeney make his debut, while Aurelian Lemaitre, Pat Cosgrave and Robert Havlin all make a return for this year’s edition.

The South African team will be captained by defending champion jockey S’manga Khumalo and includes Anthony Delpech, Gavin Lerena, Grant van Niekerk and Muzi Yeni.

Domeyer, 29, ended the 2015-16 racing season inside the top 10 of the jockeys’ log, having ridden 110 winners with a strike rate of 17% and a place strike rate of 58%.

He was the runner-up in the race to be champion rider in the Western Cape and is a regular feature in the winner’s box in Port Elizabeth.

He already has experience of riding against the likes of Dettori, having been part of the emerging team which featured during the 2009 renewal of this unique event.

Khumalo and Yeni also featured in that bonus race and all three riders have now graduated to the South African team proper in recent years.

Domeyer also has international experience having ventured to South Korea in 2011, riding the winner in the YTN Cup at the Seoul Race Park.

He also rode Martial Eagle to victory in the 2013 edition of the Metropolitan.