Felix Coetzee

Jockey Profile

Felix Coetzee

Felix Coetzee was born in Durban, South Africa on March 7 1959.

It was always simply a matter of time as to when Coetzee would enter the horse racing world. His grandfather was an owner/trainer and his father was a renowned trainer in Kwazulu Natal...in fact he was 1 of 5 brothers who all entered the profession.

When he was 15, he entered the Summerveld Jockey Academy. When asked about his beginnings in the sport, Coetzee says that he was lucky to have served his apprenticeship out in his father's stable. He said that it gave him a lot of exposure and a real chance to hone his riding abilities. He also mentions Aubrey Roberts, the former trainer, as a great support during his apprenticeship.

When Coetzee was 16, he won the 1975 Clairwood Handicap on Kentford. In 1982 he moved to Cape Town and signed on with Terence M Millard with whom he remained until Millard retired in 1991.

In 1992 he moved to Hong Kong where he rode for Brian Kan Ping-chee. He was with Ping-chee for 5 highly successful years until he moved to David Hill. In 1999 he moved to trainer Tony Cruz for whom he won many Group 1 races; best known of these the Hong Kong Sprint on Silent Witness.

Felix Coetzee has won many prestigious South African races including the Durban July Handicap 3 times, the Gold Cup an astonishing 7 times and the J&B Metropolitan Stakes 5 times.

Felix Coetzee - 10 Notable Wins

1975 - Champions Cup (Kentford)

1980 - J&B Met (Sunshine Man)

1990 - Durban July Handicap (Ilustrador)

2001 - Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup (Oriental Express)

2003 - Hong Kong Mile (Lucky Owners)

2004 - Hong Kong Gold Cup (Bullish Luck)

2004 - Hong Kong Sprint (Silent Witness)

2005 - Sprinters Stakes (Silent Witness)

2008 - Hong Kong Derby (Helene Mascot)