Racehorse TALK

By Ray Thomas

May 06, 2009 12:00am

CHAMPION jockey Shane Dye is quickly gaining celebrity status in Mauritius after riding four winners there last weekend.

Dye's feat made the front pages of Mauritian newspapers and was one of the lead items in the television news bulletins.

The local French newspaper has already tagged him "Golden Boy" although they are still having trouble spelling his name. He was referred to as "Shayne Dye" last weekend. Dye, nicknamed "Billy Idol" during his riding days in Australia, is now being recognised wherever he goes in Mauritius. Last week when he stopped at a red light another driver asked for an autograph.

His four-win haul elevated him to the lead in the jockeys premiership and continued an extraordinary career turnaround for the 90-time Group One winner who could barely command a ride in Sydney before he left six weeks ago.

"Racing is huge in Mauritius," Dye told The Daily Telegraph yesterday. "I've got a contract to ride here from April to December but I certainly won't be rushing home soon.

"Mauritius is a great place to live, the weather is fantastic and for a jockey it's a great lifestyle.

"I go to trackwork three days a week and there is only one race meeting every Saturday."

Dye is one of three Australian jockeys licensed in Mauritius.

Matthew Cahill also rode a winner there last week and top Sydney jockey Danny Nikolic is due to ride at his first meeting there next Saturday. Nikolic only arrived in Mauritius three days ago and is looking forward to the challenge.

"I've got a contract for three months and I'm keen to make a success of my time here," Nikolic said yesterday. "I'm still getting to know the place but the racing set-up looks very impressive."

Dye believes Nikolic will quickly establish himself as one of the leading jockeys in Mauritius.

"Danny is riding for one of the biggest trainers here and he will ride his share of winners," Dye added.

Dye said one of the great advantages of riding in Mauritius is the lenient weight scale.

"You don't have to ride below 55kg here," Dye said.

"The weight scale will really suit someone like Danny."