Godden gallops to victory
Richards Bay jockey claims victory at Clairwood Racecourse.
LOCAL jockey Tristan Godden (18) is not horsing around after he broke the ice at Clairwood recently, claiming his first career win after riding a cracker of a race on the Kum Naidoo trained Secret Traveller.
What makes the Richard’s Bay born riders win so fantastic, is that his was only his 27th ride.
‘I kept the whip in my left hand to keep Secret away from the rail heading down the track. When I reached the 200m marker I knew I had the race in the bag. The thrill of the win is a feeling that is difficult to put into words, but one which will live with me forever,’ said Godden.
The ex-Richards Bay Christian School pupil is currently attending the SA jockey Academy in Shongweni.
This young talented jockey tips the scales at 49kg and admires ‘riding models’ Anton Marcus, Brandon Lerena and Muzi Yeni.
But Godden is more brains than brawn, having received academic honours every year at the academy and currently aims to finish top of the class in his matric year.
He currently rides mainly at Summerveld and to a lesser extent at Ashburton.
Tristan upped the stakes when setting his goals, aiming to eventually ride in Hong Kong.
‘I am going to take it one day at a time and improve my skills by learning from the top riders and maintaining my fitness. I am very excited about what the future holds and I have resolved that international performance is the benchmark to which I want to aspire.’
