The Jim Jacques Christmas Cup, one of the Legends of Globe Derby series, is run over 2230 meters from behind the mobile barrier for horses rated NR75 or better with a stake value of $14,999 and is sponsored by the Seymour Group and SAHRC.
A member of the sixth generation of a prominent Adelaide trotting family, Jacques began his career in 1985 by naming the pony trot, which featured many of today’s leading drivers including Danielle Hill, Ryan Hryhorec, Mark Billinger and David Harding.
Two years later, Jacques accepted the position of commentator at the Globe Derby trials, serving in that capacity for ten years.
In 1999 he got his big break in the race call when leading harness commentator Terry McAuliffe switched to a canter.
The colorful Jacques enjoyed many magical moments in the commentator’s box during his long and distinguished career, but he is adamant that his favorite decision was the 2013 SA Pacing Cup, when Smoken Up rose from the canvas to defeat the long-leading Caribbean Blaster.
“The crowd went wild – I’d never heard anything like it. The South Australian crowd really made that race and call,” Jim said.
The first of the 23 SA Pacing Cups he covered was the 2000 edition, won by the great Safe And Sound, trained and driven by ex-South Australian John Justice.
Jacques, who hung up his binoculars on December 10, 2022, nominated Blacks A Fake, who he called to win the 2007 Inter Dominion Championship Final at Globe Derby, as his favorite horse and ‘Mr Cool’ Geoff Webster as the best rider he has seen in South Africa.
An extremely versatile commentator, Jacques mentioned the first 17 editions of the famous cycling classic Tour Down Under, as well as numerous athletics carnivals and dog races.
The Jim Jacques Christmas Cup will be part of a spectacular evening of racing at Globe Derby Park, including the $25,000 Kevin and Kaye Seymour Feature, a race for SA-trained horses rated NO 60 to 74 over 2230 metres.
The race is funded by the Queensland-based Seymour Group, who have been generous sponsors and supporters of the SA Harness Racing Club for the past ten months.
Other highlights on the star-studded program include the $14,000 SA Sires Classic for two-year-old pacers and the Parker Classic for two-year-old trotters.
Through Peter Wharton for Harnesslink
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