DOUBLE STROKE OF FORTUNE IN CAPE TOWN FEATURE RACES

At 58, South African veteran jockey makes fairy-tale comeback with two Grade 1 wins

- Sharon Zhang

Jockey Andrew Fortune celebrating after See It Again saluted in the Grade 1 Cape Town Met at Kenilworth on Jan 31. PHOTOS: RACE COAST/CHASE LIEBENBERG

(RACE COAST/CHASE LIEBENBERG)

A year after coming out of retirement, former South Africa champion jockey Andrew Fortune has claimed his first win in the 5 million rand (S$393,000) Grade 1 Cape Town Met with See It Again at Kenilworth on Jan 31.

The 58-year-old veteran not only teamed up with trainer Justin Snaith to snare the 2,000m feature, but he also steered the reigning South Africa champion trainer’s Double Grand Slam to victory in the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes (1,600m) one race earlier.

It was a remarkable day for Fortune, who also scored with Snaith’s Note To Self ($22) in the World Sports Betting C Stakes (2,000m) and the Candice Bass-trained All The Rage ($9) in the Winchester Sprint Cup (1,100m) earlier at the meeting.

Looking back at his brilliant yet contentious journey in racing, Fortune could not contain his joy after taking out one of South Africa’s most prestigious race in the twilight of his career.

“First of all, I just wanted to thank God. I came from addiction, nobody wanted me, and here I stand on the biggest stage,” said the outspoken jockey to Gallop TV after winning the Cape Town Met.

“It was so hard and I get this moment. It’s just unbelievable.

“It’s amazing how his name is ‘See It Again’. I know this horse is going to win because I keep coming back and doing it again and again. But this is my last run and the most amazing one.

“Thank you to Justin and (owner) Mr (Nick) Jonsson. It was like it was written in the stars.”

One of the top jockeys in South Africa, Fortune won many major races. But he also has had many run-ins with the stewards, including issues with his conduct, riding as well as his struggles with drug addiction.