Media Release

19 May 2009

“Greg was chosen for the sponsorship due to his incredible track record in SA racing where he is currently third on the SA National Jockey log. He is the Champion Jockey in the Eastern Cape for the 07/08 racing season after also winning the award in 05/06. He is one of the hardest-working jockeys in the country and he is the first jockey in history to own and ride a Group 1 winner, “Emblem of Liberty” in the GR1 Paddock Stakes in January 2009, which proves his commitment to the business of racing!” she says.

Greg Cheyne will sport the Avontuur branding for the first time on Saturday, 30 May at the Golden Horse Sprint day at Scottsville in Pietermaritzburg. 

The day is auspicious for Avontuur’s VAR-bred progeny as some of this year’s juvenile stars like top colt Vacherin, multiple winner Villandry and speedster Valiant might be up against each other in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion over 1200 m.  On the same day the fillies are competing in the Allan Robertson Fillies Championship Gr 1 over 1200m where Avontuur-bred My Kazzie by Western Winter is tipped to run a good race and Var’s daughter, Valeta is a talented challenger.

Greg is enthusiastic about his involvement with the Estate and said that this would give him the opportunity to increase his profile and enable him to do even more of what he loves.  “I got into racing because I love sport in general and wanted to make my living in it as a professional. Racing has given me all of that and with this sponsorship I hope to continue doing what I love and give Avontuur Estate the exposure and support the company deserves at the same time.  I look forward to a successful partnership and will do everything in my power to promote the brand, both on the stud and wine side,” he said.

“We are hoping that this sponsorship, will provide us an even higher profile in racing circles, especially leading up to the Avontuur Fillies Guineas which takes place on Saturday, 5 December this year,” Pippa says. 

“However, Greg wasn’t only chosen for his prowess on the track!  He is also a serious wine lover with a higher-than-average knowledge of the fruits of the vine and will be an ambassador for that side of the business as well.  When visiting the winery last week for a formal tasting of our wines, he demonstrated a passion for the product which really impressed our wine marketing consultant Cobie van Oort. Greg will be representing Avontuur at many of the winery events as he loves to talk about, taste and enjoy wine,” Pippa concluded.

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Released for Avontuur Estate by CVO Marketing.  For more information, pse contact Cobie van Oort at 083-556-3740 or cobie@cvomarketing.co.za

Champion jockey, Greg Cheyne with Avontuur’s stallion, VAR in the stables at the Stud farm near Somerset West in the Western Cape.