INDIAN JOCKS ARE SIDELINED!
‘ELITE JOCKEYS’ GET ALL THE RIDES
INDIAN South Africans have firmly established themselves as punters. They have even made their mark as horse owners. But consistently saddling winners still remains a pipe dream.
While some of the jockeys interviewed say they are given little or no chance to rise to the occasion, horse owners think otherwise.
Refusing to be named for fear that it would further distance him from achieving his dream, a jockey said it would take an eternity for a top Indian South African jockey to surface. “We are not getting the necessary breaks and, therefore, have little chance of proving our worth,” said the jockey.
He alluded to an exclusive club of elite jockeys who get all the rides. “To emulate the feat of winning Durban July jockey, S’manga Khumalo, we must be given a chance to improve our skill.”
Khumalo, 28, made racing history when he became the first black jockey to pilot a July winner. His mount, the 20-1 outsider Heavy Mettle, romped home at Greyville on Saturday.
The Indian South African jockey remains hopeful that he will turn the corner someday.
“I have no choice but to do ride work at the training track for various trainers every morning. That is the only way I will earn the trust of the white trainers. Doing ride work is no guarantee of securing rides because the trainers give the rides to the more established jockeys. It is tough getting rides in Durban and Gauteng but easier to book rides in the Cape during the off season. Being a jockey is frustrating but I am hanging in there,’’ he said.
Racehorse owners have a different take on the issue.
Roy Moodley, the owner of Royal Security and one of the biggest Indian South African racehorse owners, said Indian South African jockeys would make headway only if they performed well at the races.
“I don’t think it is fair for the jockeys who are battling to blame the white trainers and owners. The Indian community has not produced a star jockey capable of winning the July. The jockeys must perform to get the necessary breaks.
“The South African Jockey Academy should also go on an intensive drive to recruit Indian apprentice jockeys annually. If the number of jockeys increases, maybe that will promote healthy competition among the jockeys. There is just a handful of Indian jockeys in the circuit,’’ said Moodley.
Ranjith Sewgoolam, a retired businessman and racehorse owner, agreed with Moodley’s sentiments.
“Compared to white and black riders, there are few Indian jockeys around. Indian jockeys are not the only ones who are struggling. A number of white jockeys are also battling. The Indian riders should be inspired by Khumalo’s superb feat. He did not have things on the plate and had to work hard to achieve success. The academy should recruit more Indian youngsters every year. Racehorse owners have a big say in getting jockeys to ride their horses. If an Indian jockey impresses me, I won’t hesitate to give him a chance,’’ said Sewgoolam.
Warren Lenferna, of the South African Jockey Academy in Shongweni, said qualified and apprentice jockeys of all races had quit over the years.
“Some experienced difficulties in securing rides. Others had weight, injury and other problems. It costs about R75 000 a year to enrol as an apprentice jockey at the academy. Over five years the cost totals more than R350 000.
“The academy is aware that disadvantaged parents cannot afford the fees. Therefore, we rely on kind-hearted sponsors and bursary donors to help make the dreams of the dedicated disadvantaged apprentices come true,” he said.