Mark Du Plessis is a nice guy but he’s also a tough bugger. He doesn’t just talk, he acts. And
his actions have deeply personal motivation.
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1975, Mark’s apprenticeship started in 1991 and in the 1994-
1995 season, he was champion apprentice jockey.
In 1998, he moved to New Zealand to ride. Since then, he has ridden in many countries,
including Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and Dubai.
Injuries, the constant in any jockey’s life, have punctuated his career.
Last July, Mark suffered three fractured vertebrae and a broken rib in a four-horse fall at
Ipswich. One of the horses, Fast Fun, had to be euthanased.
Mark did what any jockey would do to get back in the saddle – he got treatment and he
rehabbed. But he had a higher purpose. His son Cruze.
Cruze Du Plessis is an accomplished show jumper and pony scurry competitor in New
Zealand, where he lives with his mum Vicki Ridley.
New Zealand’s Pony Scurry Series is similar to pony racing in Australia, providing a
competition for aspiring young jockeys.
“I’ve got a 12-year-old boy who wants to be an apprentice. So when he comes through, I’ll
definitely be there for him,” Mark said.
“That’s why, after that crash I had here in July, he was the main reason I came back to riding;
so that I didn’t send him the message that I retired because of a fall.
“I wanted him to see me get up and carry on. He watches all the races now and I think he’s
pretty proud Dad’s still going.
“We still discuss races; he rings me every week. So that is the main reason I’m still going.
“I would love to ride with him, one day. I don’t know if I’ll get there.”
Mark Du Plessis is a good bloke. He flashes a modest grin at the mention of that, but he
always has a smile, a friendly nod and a quiet word for up-and-comers.
“I love giving back,” he said. “I love it when apprentices come and seek advice. It just means
that they want to learn.
“I find it hard when apprentices don’t ask, because then they think they know everything.”
Despite injuries, Mark also loves riding winners; the pleasure it gives him, the connection
with the horse and the association with owners and trainers.
“Brisbane’s become a very hard place to ride now. There’s a lot of youngsters coming
through, which is great. There’s a lot of riders have come from Victoria,” he said.
“I’m 50 years old now, so that puts a lot of people off. I believe now I’m winning a lot of races
on experience.
“Experience is a big key. It makes you confident. Especially when you get on horses that can
win.”
At Ipswich racetrack last Friday, Mark won the Seven News Handicap (2180m) on
Whatjeudoin’, trained in Toowoomba by Matt Kropp.
“Given the right opportunities like today and last week, it gives me a great deal of joy to
provide for those people that support me, like the Kropps, the Sears,” he said.
Trainers Tony and Maddysen Sears often use Mark and all parties have recently been
rewarded with successful horses Nightline and The Pool Boy.
He has no plans to stop riding, but he already has plenty to be proud of in his career.
“I’m lucky enough to ride in 11 or 12 different countries. I’ve been riding about 36 years,” he
said.
“I won a premiership in my hometown and then again in Singapore.
“I’ve won 19 Group 1 winners. I’d love to get to 20 and I’d love to get it here in Australia.
“I don’t know how long I’ll go for. I’m enjoying the success I’m getting at the moment and the
support.
“Injuries obviously slow you down a bit. But I’ve got a good PT, and I keep myself very active
so that all helps.”
Outside of riding and his kids, golf is his passion. When he was in Hong Kong, it was
frowned on if a jockey didn’t play golf. Mark and Zac Purton played on Fridays.
He got a hole in one last March at Nudgee Golf Club but given the choice, he’d always take
another Group 1.
