Three time South African champion Jockey Felix Coetzee today announced his retirement from the saddle, the 54 year old veteran said this morning
"Unfortunately I am struggling with the wear and tear on my hip and subsequent hip replacement and have had to call it a day.
For my future, because of my love of horses, I want to stay in the industry in some way and am working to do just that".
Felix rode for 38 years and filled many a trophy cabinet winning 3 South African titles and 75 international Grade1`s,including ,Hong Kong Derby twice,Hong Kong International Sprints twice,Hong Kong Stewards Cup,Hong Kong International Mile,Hong Kong Gold Cups twice,Dubai Golden Shaheen,Singapore Chris Flyer,Japan Sprinters Stakes.
Locally his tally was equally impressive winning THE Gold Cups eight times,J&B Mets five times,Durban July three times and The Summer Cup twice..
Felix rode over 3500 winners in his career and Represented South Africa five times in jockey internationals.