He's one of the most successful jockeys in South African racing
history with 43 Grade 1, 39 Grade 2 and 51 Grade 3 success,
but he has yet to achieve his greatest ambition - a win in the
R2-million, Grade 1 J&B Met.
But, with a winning tally of more than 2 300, can this be the
year for Western Cape champion jockey Karl Neisius - some 30
years after his first attempt in 1976?
On Saturday Karl celebrates his 50th birthday and Lady Luck
could finally give him the nod to steer Dean Kannemeyer's Green
Point Stakes winner, Jagged Ice, into the winner's enclosure
in this great race.
Karl was aboard Jagged Ice when he was just beaten by Elusive
Fort in the Daily News 2200 and again when second to Malteme
in the Dubai Racing Club KwaZulu-Natal Derby during the winter
season before driving the Western Winter gelding to a great
win in the Green Point Stakes. As such, he knows the gelding
well and, having ridden on the Kenilworth track more than any
rider at Saturday's meeting, there is no one who knows it better.
Karl was not available for comment but his wife and biggest
fan, Emma, obliged with details of his impressive career.
"He came to Cape Town as apprentice to Ralph Rixon in
the 1972-73 season and was champion apprentice in the Western
Cape in the 1975-76 season. He has been champion jockey in the
Western Cape five times and the best horses he has been associated
with include Flaming Rock, Flobayou, Free My Heart and Dynasty.
"He won the Vodacom Durban July, the L'Ormarins Queen's
Plate, the Gold Challenge at Clairwood five times, the Investec
Cape Derby five times and the Mercury Sprint six times.
"In the J&B Met he has run second on four occasions
- twice on Flaming Rock when beaten by Divine Master and Empress
Club, on Grande Jete when just touched off by Polo Classic and
on Free My Heart when Angus won in 2003."
On Saturday Karl will be hoping for the best birthday present
of his life when he rides Jagged Ice in the big race and there
is considerable confidence in the stable that this could be
his year - and the year for trainer Dean Kannemeyer who also
has yet to win this fantastic race.