DURBAN’S S’manga Khumalo (29) has achieved his second career goal. The first was his historic win at last year’s Vodacom Durban July.
The second took place on Wednesday, 14 August, when he was announced as the Champion Jockey for the 2013/2014 national season in South Africa.
The announcement took place at the prestigious Equus Awards held at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg, also known at the Oscars of the South African horse racing industry.
Khumalo is the first black jockey to walk away with this title, which was cemented by his impressive 185 wins this season, leading by 42 wins over his nearest competitor, Richard Fourie (143 wins).
Khumalo ends this season with a remarkable 1 381 races. Known affectionately as ‘Bling’ within racing circles, Khumalo was spotted by a talent scout, who visited his school in Kwa-Mashu in Durban when he was 15-years-old.
In 2000, Khumalo joined the Durban Jockey Academy and has been racing professionally since 2006. After a short but well deserved rest, Khumalo will start the 2014/2015 national season with his heart set on more prominent race wins locally as well as a number of international races.
