Right now, one of the hottest jockeys at the Durbanville circuit is Craig du Plooy, who has ridden six winners from the last 30 mounts since early September. Those raw stats do not really convey the remarkable and sudden transformation in the hoop’s career, as he has improved his skills quite dramatically after 25 years in the saddle.
The change in fortune is partly a function of opportunity. The local riding colony is depleted due to migration and injuries, so du Plooy has been propelled from picking up marginal contenders every now and then, to now riding blue-bloods for the powerful Snaith Racing operation. But the main reason is the hard-working and thoughtful rider’s willingness to make radical changes to his technique and shift his mental approach, under the expert tutelage of former champion jock, Felix Coetzee.
Referring to his renowned mentor, du Plooy said, “He’s changed my life. Felix is like my drug – I can’t come to racing unless I’ve spoken to him. To get guidance from a legend like him, well I could not ask for more – it’s like being a sprinter and getting coaching from Usain Bolt. Felix has helped me with my seat and technique so I now use shorter irons and wield the whip differently, but it’s mainly the mental side where the benefits are greatest.”
Du Plooy is totally dedicated to his trade, and the fit 41 year old has always enjoyed a reputation for placing horses well, but was not the strongest in a finish. So, his winning rate suffered and for much of his career, he was, perhaps cruelly, dismissed by most bettors as a low percentage rider. As he explains though, it’s much easier riding better horses that are not falling apart in the closing stages – the significant technical changes he has been applying to ensure that he could ride more forcefully at the business end of races are now making all the difference.
“Felix is supportive, but he drives me hard. If I’ve ridden two winners on the day he will say well done, but he notices small flaws, saying that is not what we were practising and you need to do things better. He is constantly pushing me for improvement. If I look at what I was doing only six months ago, I can see that way was not right and how he is changing my approach to riding.”
Snaith Racing must take credit for their foresight in hiring Coetzee to take du Plooy under his wing. Months after the initial contract has passed, Coetzee is still in daily contact – advising, cajoling and inspiring. Master- horseman and a fine rider in his day, Chris Snaith, said, “Craig is coming good. What we like about him is his reliability. He may not steal races, but he wins when he ought to…”
Du Plooy is relishing being a pupil, something of a role reversal having for years taught as the riding master for grooms in the Western Cape. His commitment to staying fit through gym, squash and running sets a fine example to the grooms, whilst he simultaneously soaks up Coetzee’s race-riding wisdom to upgrade his own performance as a jockey.
Craig concludes with a pertinent observation, “Being a jockey is one of the only professions in the sporting world where you usually work without a coach.” By tapping into Felix Coetzee’s international experience, he has instead ensured he receives guidance from an exceptional mentor, sought after around the world for his ability to motivate aspiring jocks. This interaction is lifting du Plooy’s career to heights that may have appeared quite improbable just a few months ago