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Basil Marcus was born in South Africa on January 5, 1957. He was a jockey for 30 years and became a legend in Hong Kong where he was champion jockey seven times (1991, 1994, 1995-1999) in 12 seasons, riding 671 of his 3,000 career wins there.
Basil Marcus was born in South Africa on January 5, 1957. He was a jockey for 30 years and became a legend in Hong Kong where he was champion jockey seven times (1991, 1994, 1995-1999) in 12 seasons, riding 671 of his 3,000 career wins there.
Prior to making his mark in Hong Kong, Basil was twice Cape champion apprentice in South Africa and won two J&B Mets and three Queen’s Plates. He also had considerable success in Britain, where he rode from in 1990 and from 2000 to 2002. He was second on Game Plan in the 1990 Oaks and rode her to victory in the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland.
Prior to making his mark in Hong Kong, Basil was twice Cape champion apprentice in South Africa and won two J&B Mets and three Queen’s Plates. He also had considerable success in Britain, where he rode from in 1990 and from 2000 to 2002. He was second on Game Plan in the 1990 Oaks and rode her to victory in the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland.
He started riding in Hong Kong in 1990, initially as stable jockey to trainer Lam Hung-fei and then as a Hong Kong Jockey Club jockey. He was crowned champion jockey for the first time 1992 and in September of that year became the retained jockey for the David Hill stable.
He started riding in Hong Kong in 1990, initially as stable jockey to trainer Lam Hung-fei and then as a Hong Kong Jockey Club jockey. He was crowned champion jockey for the first time 1992 and in September of that year became the retained jockey for the David Hill stable.
He 1995 he joined champion trainer Ivan Allen, then in 1998 teamed up with another champion trainer, Australian David Hayes
He 1995 he joined champion trainer Ivan Allen, then in 1998 teamed up with another champion trainer, Australian David Hayes
He twice rode five winners in a day in 1993, at Sha Tin on April 3 and at Happy Valley on May 29. He rode five Hong Kong Horse of the Year champions, namely, River Verdon, Mr Vitality, Privilege, Oriental Express and Indigenous.
He twice rode five winners in a day in 1993, at Sha Tin on April 3 and at Happy Valley on May 29. He rode five Hong Kong Horse of the Year champions, namely, River Verdon, Mr Vitality, Privilege, Oriental Express and Indigenous.
He decided to hang up his riding boots in 2002 and returned to South Africa. He switched to training in 2004 and sent out almost 300 winners in five and a half seasons including the Cape Guineas and Derby with Jay Peg.
He decided to hang up his riding boots in 2002 and returned to South Africa. He switched to training in 2004 and sent out almost 300 winners in five and a half seasons including the Cape Guineas and Derby with Jay Peg.
Basil eventually handed over to his son Adam, who became the country’s youngest licensed trainer. However, he remained highly active, driving and promoting all aspects of the family racing business. In June 2016 he suffered a heart attack from which he eventually made a full recovery.
Basil eventually handed over to his son Adam, who became the country’s youngest licensed trainer. However, he remained highly active, driving and promoting all aspects of the family racing business. In June 2016 he suffered a heart attack from which he eventually made a full recovery.
His brother Anton (born May 31, 1970) was five times champion jockey in South Africa.
His brother Anton (born May 31, 1970) was five times champion jockey in South Africa.
Basil Marcus rode 6 winners from 8 rides on the Milnerton card as an apprentice on 21 June 1975. His list of winners was Tracy Ann, Double Joy, Farsi, Persian War, The Kajar and Mithra. Five were by Persian Wonder and all six winners were trained by Theo de Klerk. Basil also has the distinction of being the first South African rider to achieve 100 winners in a single season as an apprentice.
Basil Marcus rode 6 winners from 8 rides on the Milnerton card as an apprentice on 21 June 1975. His list of winners was Tracy Ann, Double Joy, Farsi, Persian War, The Kajar and Mithra. Five were by Persian Wonder and all six winners were trained by Theo de Klerk. Basil also has the distinction of being the first South African rider to achieve 100 winners in a single season as an apprentice.
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