David’s name in the Hall of Fame
Benonian jockey Derreck David becomes a Mauritian horse racing legend.
The City Times first caught up with a then 16-year-old Derreck David, nicknamed DD, in November 2004, following his selection to the South African Jockey Academy, in Durban.
Fast-forward to 2015 and the jockey (27), who grew up in Morehill and attended Kathstan College, has become the 14th jockey in history to be inducted into the Mauritius Racing Hall of Fame.
This acknowledgement was achieved on Saturday, July 25, when he won five races in a day, at an eight-card race meeting at the Champ de Mars circuit, in Port Louis (two days before his 27th birthday) – becoming the first jockey in 93 years to achieve this feat on the island.
David was a champion apprentice who has had success in a number of Grade One, Grade Two and Grade Three races throughout his career.
His biggest career victory to date was an incredible display, to win the 2010 Grade One South African Classic on Pierre Jourdan (PJ), a horse with whom he formed a winning association.
The duo won a total of seven races together.
His parents, Eblan and Elaine, who are passionate Benonians, told the City Times how proud they are of their son’s achievements on horseback.
Eblan said Derreck is hoping that his successful stint in Mauritius will be a stepping stone towards racing in either Singapore or Hong Kong in a year or two.
Benoni seems to be a breeding ground for talented jockeys, with now retired jockey Devon Habib and 2015 apprentice champion Craig Zackey also Benoni locals.
“We have a number of famous people and sportsman who have come from Benoni and Derreck is another who has done it proud,” said Eblan.
