Born in 1969 in predominantly French-speaking Seychelles, Anthony Delpech emigrated to South Africa in the early 80s and settled in Durban with his family. He attended Glenwood High School with his brother, but found the language barrier infuriating.
Story by Byron Nel
Anthony entered the Jockey Academy in 1984 and thus began the career of this committed sportsman. After qualifying, he would spend hours in the racing yards, getting to grips with life in some of the most active racing establishments of the day, learning from some of the more successful trainers of the late 80s.
Anthony concedes that luck played a part in things. “There were a lot of good jockeys around then,” he said. “You needed a break. Some of us got a break and some didn’t.”
His break came in the form of racehorse owner, Len Salzman, who had Anthony ride a number of his string of around 150 horses, who were in training with some of the greats, like David Ferraris, Alan Greef and Herman Brown.
One of Anthony’s more memorable years was 1998. It was the first time he became South Africa’s top jockey by winning the South African Championship. He broke all previous records by riding 335 winners that season – a record that still stands today.
Another career highlight for Anthony was the time spent racing in the Far East. Together with his wife and young children, he lived in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan at the start of the 21st century. He also rode in Dubai, battling with the best in the business and winning.
Riding in these countries is by invitation only and offers are only made to the best international jockeys. When asked how he felt about the time spent riding abroad he replied, “Incredible! The atmosphere was fantastic. Horse racing is very well supported in those countries – thousands of people attend the race meetings. It’s an occasion over there still. People take it seriously. They dress up. That makes it worth it, makes it exciting.”
Anthony spent five years in Hong Kong, two in Singapore, two seasons in Dubai and some time in Japan. A highlight was winning the “Shema Classic” on Dubai night. In the end, it was Anthony’s choice to return to South Africa. But not before he achieved perhaps some of the greatest achievements of his racing career. One of these was his relationship with easily the best horse he ever rode, the Chinese owned “Vengeance of Rain” on which he won eight Group One races.
For Anthony, life away from the track also had its high points. He met and married his lovely wife, Candice, in 1992 and they have three children. Family was one of the main reasons Anthony decided to return to South Africa. His children were growing up without knowing their extended family. Nothing was permanent and, therefore, it was not the most desirable environment in which to raise children.
Anthony is as busy as ever these days. He races six days a week and is in demand all over the country. It is not unusual for him to race in Durban in the afternoon and in Johannesburg the same evening. A punishing schedule successfully executed by this focused sportsman.
Over the years, Anthony has won the Durban July four times, including 2010 and 2011. Unfortunately, he will not be riding Igugu in this year’s Vodacom Durban July, as she is on her way overseas to participate in this year’s Dubai season. However, he will be riding another of Mike De Kock’s entries. Which one remains to be seen, as the draws have yet to take place, but whoever it is, one thing is for sure, it has a good chance of winning!