Baby On Board – JP’s Ready To Rock!
Winner of Saturday’s WSB Legal Eagle Stakes, JP van der Merwe is excited at the prospect of becoming a father for the first time. He’s driving at his best and wants to further expand his national top 10 position.
In conversation with the Sporting contribution On Monday, JP, or ‘Juan Paul van Damme’ as his colleague Corne Orffer called him after winning Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Kenilworth feature, said things are improving both domestically and professionally and there’s a lot happening.
JP leads Itsrainingwilliam to a smart win (Image – Chase Liebenberg)
And high on the agenda is that his wife Abbi, daughter of East Cape Champion trainer Gavin Smith, is expecting their first daughter in late August.
They celebrated the traditional “baby shower” on Sunday with family and friends, as well as Miss van der Merwe’s soon-to-be godparents, Randall and Vash Simons.
“We are very happy about starting a family. I’m 32 and Abbi is 24, we’ve traveled a bit and now seems like the right time to adjust our course,” adds the man who has come a long way since the then-shy apprentice on the podium in October by Clairwood stood in 2008 after riding his first career win, Regent’s Honor, for trainer Bennet Bulana.
Just under eight years later, JP reached the pinnacle of his career when he was called up at the last minute at 9am on the morning of the 2016 J&B Met 2016 to partner the mare Smart Call.
Smart Call wins the 2016 J&B Met
In the years that followed, he achieved consistent success, even attributing the Singapore experience to the “tuition fees” of life. JP was suspended for a year in 2021, in his third year in the island nation, and on appeal his time off was reduced to six months.
“I’m sorry Calvin Habib has returned. But I understand the dilemma. I personally loved Singapore as a place to live and race. But it’s difficult to break through and, as you know, there are no races like every day. So if you have a quiet day of racing here, get up and carry on the next day. That clears your head and the momentum helps. It’s very different there. But as I said, Abbi and I used the experience and used it positively.”
Abbi and JP – Flashback to Singapore
Speaking of the movement, or ‘brain drain’ as we called it, of South African racers overseas, JP says that despite South Africa’s struggles, keeping one’s roots and moving to a new world is a challenge.
“So I take my hat off to people who are doing it and taking the opportunity. Our jockeys are world class and we don’t have to stand back for anyone.”
JP is the new driver sponsored by Bryanston Auctioneers following Ryan Munger’s departure for Canada where he has made an explosive start.
“I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to pick up where Ryan left off and did such a great job!”
On his great progress this season – JP now has 84 winners – he says the key is to travel.
JP proudly holds the trophy after Saturday’s broadcast – Drakenstein’s Kevin Sommerville, WSB’s Kim and Jono Snaith enjoy the moment (Image – Chase Liebenberg)
“There are factors to consider. Plane tickets are expensive and when traveling there is no way to travel to work in my home province. So it’s give and take and finding a balance. I am very fortunate to have good Highveld support from Mr Alec Laird and the Azzie racing team, then from the powerful Snaith operations in the Western Cape and from my father-in-law in Gqeberha. It’s a great mix and I’m very lucky.”
JP’s 15% win rate and Justin Snaith’s 29% place shot rate are excellent considering he’s not always one of the stable chosen ones. An example of this was his thoughtful ride to bring Itsrainingwilliam home in the WSB Legal Eagle Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Watch the replay here:
“The Snaith stall has tremendous depth and even if you’re driving the third string it doesn’t mean you’re safe. It is a pleasure and a privilege to drive for such a professional team and I hope to continue to serve them well.”
While he rides for future Oupa Gavin Smith’s strong East Cape stable, JP can do other rides and he partners with Hunting Trip and Silver Falcon for the Snaiths in Friday’s Listed Milkwood Stakes and Fairview 1400 at Fairview.
“I won two out of two at Hunting Trip. She’s really smart and needs a chance. I haven’t ridden Silver Falcon yet but his form looks decent!”
On Saturday, JP teamed with Raiseahallelujah to master a manageable canterweight of 53kg for Candice Dawson in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
“It’s a good quality field. But he stays healthy and will be fit. I look forward to being part of the big day.”
JP has only had one July ride with Hollywoodbets Durban so far – that was in 2022 on Astrix. We asked about his prospects for the big ride this year.
“It’s an iconic race and every jockey wants it on their resume. The atmosphere and spirit on that day last year was wonderful and I hope to take Justin Snaith with me as he will likely have a strong hand in hand again.”
