Racing in Mauritius
July 4th 2008 06:19
There is only one racetrack on the tiny island of Mauritius (off the African coast and not far from Madagascar). Meetings are held at Champs de Mars, which is situated in the capital city Port-Louis. Champ de Mars is one of the oldest racecourses in the Southern Hemisphere.
(photo: Shane Lam)
(photo: elegantdestinations.uk)
At this time Australian jockey Luke Currie is progressing well in second place in the Jockeys Premiership, with South African Jockey Sherman Brown holding a narrow lead. As of Monday the 30th of June:
S Brown 12 wins
L Currie 9 wins
Another Australian jockey, Michael Cahill, is in 5th position with 7 wins.
Racing is held only on each Saturday and the racing season begins usually in mid-May and finishes late in November. The season is abbreviated and planned to end at this time because of the likelihood of cyclone or severe storm in the Summer months (their cyclone season runs from late November to mid-May, with the peak being in January and February).
Although the class of horse that races in Mauritius is significantly inferior to Australia, or any other major racing nation, the competition is fierce and the atmosphere full of excitement on this punting and racing-mad island. The horses are mostly imported from South Africa, Australia, England and France.
Luke Currie has tasted success at the highest level in Australia, with victories aboard Makybe Diva and many Group wins. He found his way to Mauritius after completing a riding contract in Singapore. Luke has also previously spent time riding in Malaysia.
Luke Currie is on a retainer for the stable of V. Allet. As is often the case, the fortunes of the (retained) jockey are often decided by the strength of the stable. Both trainer and jockey are currently ranked second. Allet was the champion trainer in Mauritius in 2007.
The attraction of Mauritius has much to do with lifestyle. Training is held six days per week -with only one raceday per week- and there is ample time to have a life outside of racing. Training usually begins at 5.00 am and finishes around 7.30am. So popular is racing in Mauritius that they have regular crowds of several hundred people to watch trackwork. Each horse exercises bearing its name and every canter or serious gallop is meticulously logged and made available in publications and (now) on websites.
Jockeys are celebrities on the island of Mauritius and recognised everywhere they travel. It suits the personality of some people (jockeys) more than others. Luke Currie at first thought he would be playing lots of golf in his spare time, but is spending his spare time snorkelling and diving instead.
On racedays the average attendance is 12,000 people, and the feature events draw crowds in excess of 50,000.
Champ de Mars is a very unusual track of 1298m in circumference. Built in 1812, the home straight is 225 metres long and uphill. It often takes jockeys a few rides to get used to the helterskelter style of riding the narrow saucer-bowl track.
To experience the excitement of racing in Mauritius, here is a replay of the feature Duke Of York Cup from 2006.
Champ de Mars, Mauritius
(photo: Shane Lam)
racing in Mauritius
(photo: elegantdestinations.uk)
At this time Australian jockey Luke Currie is progressing well in second place in the Jockeys Premiership, with South African Jockey Sherman Brown holding a narrow lead. As of Monday the 30th of June:
S Brown 12 wins
L Currie 9 wins
Another Australian jockey, Michael Cahill, is in 5th position with 7 wins.
Racing is held only on each Saturday and the racing season begins usually in mid-May and finishes late in November. The season is abbreviated and planned to end at this time because of the likelihood of cyclone or severe storm in the Summer months (their cyclone season runs from late November to mid-May, with the peak being in January and February).
Although the class of horse that races in Mauritius is significantly inferior to Australia, or any other major racing nation, the competition is fierce and the atmosphere full of excitement on this punting and racing-mad island. The horses are mostly imported from South Africa, Australia, England and France.
Luke Currie has tasted success at the highest level in Australia, with victories aboard Makybe Diva and many Group wins. He found his way to Mauritius after completing a riding contract in Singapore. Luke has also previously spent time riding in Malaysia.
Luke Currie is on a retainer for the stable of V. Allet. As is often the case, the fortunes of the (retained) jockey are often decided by the strength of the stable. Both trainer and jockey are currently ranked second. Allet was the champion trainer in Mauritius in 2007.
The attraction of Mauritius has much to do with lifestyle. Training is held six days per week -with only one raceday per week- and there is ample time to have a life outside of racing. Training usually begins at 5.00 am and finishes around 7.30am. So popular is racing in Mauritius that they have regular crowds of several hundred people to watch trackwork. Each horse exercises bearing its name and every canter or serious gallop is meticulously logged and made available in publications and (now) on websites.
Jockeys are celebrities on the island of Mauritius and recognised everywhere they travel. It suits the personality of some people (jockeys) more than others. Luke Currie at first thought he would be playing lots of golf in his spare time, but is spending his spare time snorkelling and diving instead.
On racedays the average attendance is 12,000 people, and the feature events draw crowds in excess of 50,000.
Champ de Mars is a very unusual track of 1298m in circumference. Built in 1812, the home straight is 225 metres long and uphill. It often takes jockeys a few rides to get used to the helterskelter style of riding the narrow saucer-bowl track.
To experience the excitement of racing in Mauritius, here is a replay of the feature Duke Of York Cup from 2006.
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