Piere „Striker“ Strydom
is a South African jockey, one of the top ones in his home country and probably one of the world’s greatest of the modern era with more than 5000 winners. Piere has a clear analytical mind and normally sums up a race very straightforward and not always in favour of his own mount, which makes him one of the best tacticians in the game. He is a joy to watch. ”Poetry in motion” is how he is often described. The six-times national champion is the complete rider. Piere first became a household name in the late 1980’s after moving to Johannesburg. He quickly gained a reputation for his dramatic finishes from way off the pace, and as a result acquired the nickname “Striker”. He says his father ‘Hekkie’ had the biggest influence on his career. He was a trainer in Port Elizabeth and consequently Piere grew up in the saddle and started riding for his father long before he joined the Jockey’s Academy. Piere has also ridden in Hong Kong, Australia, the UK, Mauritius, Dubai and Turkey. On November 29, 2014 he was inducted into the Horse Racing Hall of fame and lives with his two children and wife Chrisna in Johannesburg, South Africa.
