Pure self-belief takes learner jockey to UK

DREAM COME TRUE: Jockey apprentice Eric Ngwane. He has been selected to go to the UK for training NO matter where you come from, if you believe you can do it, you will succeed.

That’s the motto of apprentice jockey Eric Ngwane, who has been selected to train at the British Racing School.

The 22-year-old orphan, who was raised by his aunt, Constance Mgoqi, and her husband, Jones, in Wentworth, Durban, did not ever imagine he would one day be a jockey.

But thanks to his brother, Mbuyekezi, and cousin, Andrew, who paid his registration fee to join the South African Jockey Academy, his dream is becoming a reality.

On Thursday, Ngwane and fellow apprentice jockey Tristan Godden left for the UK to spend a month attending the international apprentice course at the British Racing School.

“I am proud to have been selected and plan to make the most of this opportunity. My hard work is paying off. While in the UK I would like to learn their race style compared to our style. I would one day like to race in England and Dubai,” said Ngwane, who is in his third year at the academy. He weighs 46kg and is 1.54m tall.

The South African Jockey Academy has partnered with the British Racing School through funding from the Childwick Trust, established in 1985 to benefit people in need. Godden and Ngwane are the first South African apprentice jockeys to be selected.

It all happened by chance, Ngwane said, explaining how he got into horse racing. “My dream had always been to be a soccer player. One day I accompanied a friend, who was an apprentice jockey, to the stables. A trainer suggested I give it a try.

“While in Grade 10 I wanted to join the academy but was advised by my family to first finish school. In 2014 I applied and was accepted.

“But I could not afford the registration fee of R13 000.” Then, “thanks to my brother, Mbuyekezi, who gave me money, and my cousin, Andrew, who took a loan of R10 000 to help with the fees,” he raised the money. “Fortunately I got a bursary and was able to pay them back,” he said.

Ngwane lost his parents when he was seven. He and his three brothers moved in with his relatives and their four children. “It was tough growing up, but my aunt and uncle tried their best to make things easy and as comfortable as possible.

“No matter where you come from, if you believe you can do it, you will succeed.”

Ngwane, who already has 36 wins to his name, admires jockeys such as

It was tough growing up but my aunt and uncle tried their best to make things easy

Anton Marcus, Anthony Delpech and Simanga Khumalo.

Godden, who turns 20 tomorrow, said he was looking forward to learning about British culture and their racing style. “I was lucky to have been selected to be in the academy, but to be given this opportunity is extremely exciting and came as a surprise.”

Graham Bailey, headmaster of the South African Jockey Academy, said: “The two will participate in an international course, spend additional time doing riding work for various trainers in the Newmarket area, and get to do a bit of sightseeing and learn about British culture. We hope to have this as an annual thing and try to involve staff as well.”