Mauritius Message Board: Cahill off to ride in Mauritius by Story by Alex Steedman

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Cahill off to ride in Mauritius by Story by Alex Steedman

Posted by Clancy on 13/4/2008, 5:33 pm
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Cahill off to ride in Mauritius by Story by Alex Steedman
Extract from Racing and Sports

Sunday, 13 April 2008: Eight time Canberra premiership winning jockey Mathew Cahill this week will relocate to Mauritius for six months and ride for one of the countries leading trainers.

Cahill received the offer to become a stable jockey for Mauritius trainer Hughes Maigrot three weeks ago and accepted the riding contract on Wednesday.

“I've had offers to go there before which I've declined. Now I've got another offer and I thought the time was right this season for me to give it a try,” Cahill said. “I'm looking forward to going over there and seeing how I go. It will be a new challenge and I just hope I get a bit of luck.”

He will leave for Mauritius on Tuesday and is unsure of what to expect from the islands racing industry.

“I'm a little in the dark about it,” Cahill said. “It's going to be completely different racing there. Every year they get jockeys over from Australia, South Africa and France to ride and we've all got different styles. I've spoken to a few of the boys who've ridden there and they say it's very competitive.”

Currently fourth in the Canberra jockey premiership, Jeff Penza rode in Mauritius during 2004.

“Mathew rang me a couple of nights ago,” Penza said. “I gave him a rundown of the track. It's a tricky little place to ride at, the jockeys ride very tight. Its only 1200m around and you can't break too early because it's uphill for the last 50m.”

Penza said Cahill should enjoy being part of the most popular sport in Mauritius.

“It's a great climate and it's a good lifestyle over there for a jockey, you only race once a week and you get away from the winter here,” Penza said.

“They worship their racing over there. It's a small island and most of the population would go to the races on a Saturday. The course is packed out every meeting and it's definitely a great race day atmosphere.”

“Even when you are riding track work, fifty people will be hanging over the outside fence trying to get a glimpse of your horse, it's pretty full on.”

Cahill has a reputation as one of the best country jockeys in Australia. He has claimed numerous jockey premierships throughout NSW and won the Albury Cup (2000m) three times.

“I've never been away from Australian racing,” Cahill said. “It's all I've ever done since I've left school. I'm sure I'll miss it.”

He will first ride for Maigrot when the Mauritius racing season commences on April 26.