MICHAEL ROBERTS, South Africa's living racing legend, will write another chapter in the country's racing history next month when he puts his name to a new bursary fund being introduced by Gold Circle Racing.

The fund will be launched at a prestige dinner function in the Stewards Classic Room at Greyville Racecourse at the night racemeeting on Wednesday, December 11, and the champion himself will be there to meet with the guests as nearly 40 items of his personal racing memorabilia will go up for auction.

Never in his wildest dreams, when he left the Karoo farm as a young boy, did he ever imagine himself becoming South Africa's greatest racing personality, that he would be champion jockey of the country 11 times and champion jockey of Britain. Nor could he have envisaged that he would have such an impact on the industry that it would honour him with a racemeeting and then perpetuate his name in a bursary to assist disadvantaged persons attending the SA Jockey and Equestrian Academy.

But for him the impossible dream became reality and, in offering nearly 40 items of memorabilia to help launch the bursary fund, Michael Roberts is once again showing his commitment to the industry that served him so well.

The auction will include numerous autographed items of riding kit and equipment of the highest quality, as well as trophies and other items from around the world including the skull cap worn in the Japan Cup when he won the race on the German champion, Lando, and the silver cup from the Italian Derby.

One of the highlights will be the autographed limited edition print of the United Kingdom racing map showing 59 racecourses. Michael is one of only a handful of riders to have won at every course on the map.

This will be a night to remember and everyone is welcome. Tickets are available at R350 a head, which includes a donation to the bursary fund, and reservations can be made by calling Joanne Taylor on 031-314-1640.

Issued by:  Gill Simpkins