Avontuur announces sponsorship of top jockey

Thursday, 3 December, 2009
CVO Marketing
Avontuur Estate GM, Pippa Mickleburgh announced this week that the well-known winery and stud farm from the Somerset West area in the Western Cape, has appointed 28 year old up-and-coming South African jockey, MJ Byleveld, as their new on- and off-course ambassador.
"The best part of this is that MJ is kicking off his relationship with us by riding an Avontuur-bred filly Townsend, for trainer Justin Snaith, in the 2009 R750 000 Avontuur Estate Gr 1 Cape Fillies Guineas on Saturday, 5 December! That's three times lucky for our brand on one day," she said.

"Having been in the saddle for many of the top trainers and having had the experience of winning some great races on equally stunning horses, this is new to my job as a freelancer," comments MJ.

"The wine angle adds another dimension to the sponsorship, and although I enjoy a glass of red wine now and again, I've been much more serious about the wine I drink since being introduced to Avontuur's. My favourites are the red Bordeaux-style blends, but I'm developing a real affinity for Avontuur's award-winning Chardonnay Reserve, Luna de Miel - which even has an equine name having been created to commemorate Avontuur's first brood mare, who was imported from Argentina in the 80's," he says.

Publicity-shy MJ is happy to promote Avontuur and says the sponsorship offers him the opportunity to involve himself with a great brand, covering wine and breeding, and will support his ambition to become one of the country's best riders.

"Avontuur Estate hopes that this sponsorship will lead to many more career highs for this promising young man, and we wish MJ everything of the best on Fillies day and for the rest of the Cape racing season," Pippa concluded.
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MJ Byleveld with the horses
MJ Byleveld with the horses

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