NEXT season’s champion jockey will receive a bonanza payday, courtesy of Klawervlei Stud which is putting up a R250,000 prize for the winner.

Many racing fans have been calling for a big bonus for the rider who wins the most races in South Africa every season – and there is no denying excitement and anticipation in the final month of the 2010-11 racing season, when an enthralling battle was waged between two top riders in Anton Marcus, who retained the crown having won the championship in 2009-10, and Anthony Delpech, who headed up the log until the final week of the term.

Clyde Basel of Phumelela.

Marcus eventually took the title by nine winners with a whopping 92-win gap to third-placed Muzi Yeni.

In announcing the prize, Klawervlei Stud’s marketing manager Grant Knowles said: “In response to the fantastic tussle between Marcus and Delpech, we hope to stimulate all riders to compete for the title from early in the 2011-12 season.

“And let’s not forget that jockeys get SA colours if they finish the season in the first four on the log – they compete in the Jockeys’ International Challenge and represent our country against the rest of the world.”

Phumelela Gold sales executive Clyde Basel negotiated the prize with Klawervlei Stud and commented: “Our jockeys are great athletes and we are most pleased with the outcome of our discussions with Klawervlei Stud, who we thank for putting up the prize at the end of the season.”

Klawervlei Stud, which finished second on the breeders’ log last season, is based on Wagenboomheuwel Farm on the banks of the Breede River east of Bonnievale. It is a corporate entity owned by stud manager John Koster and a syndicate of businessmen. Top performers bred there include Equus Award nominee Shea Shea and other Grade 1 winners Emerald Cove, Top Seller, Mystic Moon and Captain’s Wild.