Four-time Vodacom Durban July champion jockey, Anthony Delpech, is joining Mary Slack as a retained jockey, after a successful seven year partnership with one of the country’s top stud farms and wine estates, Avontuur Estate.
Commented Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh, “We are happy for Anthony as he starts a new part of his career and sad for Avontuur Estate who has benefitted so much over the years from his incredible successes. We would have loved to continue the relationship. However this new position is such a positive for Anthony’s further career that we were happy to negotiate an earlier release from our contract and we wish him everything of the best.”
Delpech expressed his immense gratitude to Avontuur for their loyal support over the years and is looking forward to the next chapter in his racing career.
“I have been extremely lucky to have been sponsored by Avontuur for the last 7 years and have shared some memorable moments with them during this time. It has been a great ride, mainly due to Pippa (Mickleburgh) and the Taberer family, who have been incredibly supportive over these past years and I owe them a special thanks and appreciation for the consistent kindness shown to me. I wish them all the success in the future.
“Despite the happy partnership, I will now be moving on as I have been given an opportunity to be Mary Slack’s retained jockey and will have first call on all the Wilgerbosdrift – owned horses in addition to riding for Mauritzfontein.
Mike Makaab, CEO of Prosport International, the sports management company that brokered the Avontuur deal, was full of praise for the way in which Avontuur conducted their relationship with Delpech and wished both Avontuur and Delpech success in the future.
