LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Jockey S’manga Khumalo poses in London’s Chinatown to commemorate the Chinese Year of the Horse ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on August 7, 2014 in London, England. The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is the World’s premier international jockeys’ team competition and will be held this Saturday, 9th August at Ascot Racecourse. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse) Credit: Getty Images – GettyA TRAILBLAZING jockey who competed at Ascot has been hit with a ten-year ban for race-fixing – in what has been called a landmark corruption case.
Nicknamed ‘Bling’, South African rider S’manga Khumalo was reportedly stood down in March this year after being charged with three offences linked to corruption.
Top South African jockey S’manga Khumalo, second from left, has been hit with a huge ten-year ban after being found guilty of race-fixing Credit: Getty Images – Getty
The top rider overcame hardship early in his life to reach the pinnacle of racing in South Africa – but now his career is in tatters Credit: Getty Images – Getty
According to thesouthafrican.com , Khumalo pleaded guilty to a charge of sharing confidential, non-public racing information.
The final charge was for alleged race-fixing in contests that took place between October last year and February this year.
The jockey, who competed in the 2014 Shergar Cup as part of the Rest of the World team, was accused of failing to ride horses on their merits under the general non-trier rule.
Khumalo pleaded not guilty to the charge but the enquiry board ruled otherwise.
His jockey licence was withdrawn with immediate effect and he was hit with a 15-year ban, although five of those years have been suspended.
A media release from the NHA read: “Accordingly, the following sanction was imposed in terms of the Rules of the NHA:
“Mr Khumalo’s current jockey licence is cancelled with immediate effect.
“Mr Khumalo is precluded from applying for, renewing, holding, or being issued any jockey licence for a period of fifteen (15) years, commencing 23 March 2026, of which five (5) years are suspended for 15 years on the conditions as set out by the Inquiry Board.
“Mr Khumalo has the right of appeal.”
Khumalo made history when becoming South Africa’s first black champion jockey.
He rose to the top after overcoming hardship in a violent township in Durban to ride more than 2,300 winners including 22 Group 1 victories.
The charismatic figure, who stood out for dying his hair with peroxide and stud earrings, also won the country’s big race, the Durban July at Greyville, twice, most recently in 2022.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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