Bling on target for second champion jockey win

It was a career goal to win the Vodacom Durban July as well as to win a Champion Jockey Title and having already achieved both in 2013 and 2014 respectively, S’manga “Bling” Khumalo is on track to take the Champion Jockey Title yet again.

With only two weeks left of the 2015/2016 racing season, S’manga is on an impressive tally of 233 wins from 1 281 races, 36 ahead of the currently second-placed Anthony Delpech. Last year’s champion, Gavin Lerena, is currently seated in 11th place with 85 wins from 439 races.

Just two months ago S’manga was also awarded Champion Jockey for 2016 at the Racing Association Highveld Feature Season Awards.

“Success for a jockey comes with sacrifice, hard work and most importantly, support. Trainers, owners, sponsors and horses across South Africa have helped me to be where I am today and to all of you, I give my sincerest thanks,” S’manga said after receiving his Racing Association Award on 21 May.

“My primary supporters are Mr Sean Tarry and Mr Chris van Niekerk. The patience and trust that these gentlemen have had in me has afforded me the opportunity to achieve at a level that most jockeys can only dream of, and for that I want to say that I will be eternally indebted and grateful to you both. To my family, I will always be grateful for your support and encouragement. To all the people in my team who have helped me get here, thank you. I hope it can serve to inspire other less fortunate youth to dare to dream.”

Last year also saw the launch of a heartwarming documentary which tells the story of how KwaMashu-born Khumalo has become one of South Africa’s best jockeys. To Be A Champion tells the endearing story of how a 15-year-old Khumalo was spotted by a talent scout, who recognised his small stature as an ideal starting point to see if he had what it takes to become a jockey.

From there Khumalo was accepted for a five year apprenticeship at the South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) at the Summerveld Training Centre in KwaZulu-Natal, and started racing professionally in 2006.

For more information go to www.itsarush.co.za or follow Racing. It’s a Rush on Facebook and Twitter to follow his progress as the season draws to a close. Follow S’manga on Twitter @dancewithkhumal.

The 2015/2016 South African horseracing season comes to an end on July 31, with Champion Jockey as well as other prestigious national awards being presented at the Equus Awards on Tuesday, August 16.