Matt Chapman on 07/10/2020 for Sun Racing. Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd.TEXT carefully people!
Rules are rules, yes I know that, so if you are reading this online and have to type somewhere “he broke the rules” then have a good day and be strong.
But it never ceases to amaze me how some things are blown up out of all proportion in the world of horse racing.
A classic example came in South Africa the other day, when a jockey called Luyolo Mxothwa had the book thrown at him for just about nothing as far as I can see.
Mxothwa, who is no mug and has ridden 800-odd winners and eight at Group 1 level, has been banned from riding for five years.
His crime?
This…
1. During or about December 2025 or early January 2026, he transmitted a voice note recorded by him to an unknown person, alternatively Noor Iqbal, alternatively Zaheer Ali, (“the voice note”) in which it was stated by the Respondent as follows: Mr L Mxothwa: “The thing is I don’t know the horse, if it was a horse I knew, then I would confirm easy. You know, and it’s a new horse, it’s a bad field but I spoke to the trainer of the other horse, they said Zackey will win the race. So let’s have a go, let’s see what happens. Ja, so let’s do it. Chat later.”
The race was indeed won by ‘Zackey’, better known as Craig Zackey the rider of Champagne Problems, who scored at odds of 8-13.
Mxothwa, who rode in the race, finished sixth on his horse, a 9-1 chance.
So I’m not sure what you think, but I read that as someone merely asking Mxothwa what chance he had of winning.
His reply, in layman’s terms, was: “I don’t know my horse. It’s a bad race, but the connections of Zackey’s mount are confident. We’ll have a go and see what happens.”
Now of course in South Africa those in charge might feel that’s ‘inside information’.
But come on.
Cracking down is one thing. Being a tyrant is another.
A slap on the wrist is needed.
But a five-year ban? Crazy.
It’s not like Mxothwa said: “Zackey’s team think they will win and don’t worry I’ll be making sure mine doesn’t.”
Quite the opposite in fact.
That’s not the end of the matter either.
The South African Horseracing Authority haven’t finished with him yet!
He might get three of the five-year sentence suspended but he has to act fast.
The suspended portion hinges on his adherence to seven conditions designed to protect racing integrity and assist ongoing investigations into prohibited practices.
Central among the requirements is a mandatory disclosure deadline of 28 May.
Mxothwa must provide the NHA Chief Executive Officer with written details of all information within his knowledge relating to prohibited, unlawful or improper practices in horse racing, including approaches by bookmakers, punters or others seeking non-public race information.
And this is the bit that is interesting.
Within 30 days, Mxothwa must issue an NHA-approved media statement apologising for his conduct and warning fellow jockeys to report any approach requesting confidential race information.
The authority will facilitate an opportunity for him to address South African jockeys directly on the seriousness of such prohibited practices and the obligation to report improper approaches.
All over a text that said just about nothing. Oh my.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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