Muzi Yeni chats to model-turned-Bollywood actress Tarina Patel in this file pic
“People have teased me about my squeaky voice, but you need balls of steel in this game and I’ve been very successful so far.”
That rather prophetic quip by Winning Form-sponsored Muzi Yeni to the late SA media legend Jimmy Lithgow, in a snap interview for the Sunday Times, took on some significance almost five years on in Kimberley on Monday.
The hardworking jockey has proven his mettle in the saddle in more ways than one – and anatomically! And reached a remarkable 1000 career winner milestone.
The dusty wastes of Flamingo Park on a sweltering blue Monday aren’t many people’s idea of fun…
But 9 November 2015 and a horse called Master Barry will be etched in Muzi’s memory for decades to come.
The 28 year old, who has topped the Northern Cape jockey standings for two seasons, rode a hat-trick on the afternoon for trainer Corrie Lensley. But it was his victory on the former Piet Steyn-trained 8yo gelding Master Barry in a modest MR 72 Handicap that will endure forever.
Jumping from a poor wide draw, the Zandvliet product was bidding for his seventh win and started unfancied at 12 to 1. It will be of some added satisfaction to Muzi that he had Andrew Fortune eating dust 2,50 lengths back in second.
His grandparents raised him to be a solid citizen and he was fortunate enough to attend good schools (Pinetown Junior and Pinetown High), before he went to ‘boarding school’ at the SA Jockey Academy at Summerveld.
He was just 15 when he stepped into the unknown world of horseracing and graduated at 21.
Muzi Yeni – with jockey legend Michael Roberts
His first winner was aboard Storm King for Mike de Kock. It was over 2400m at Clairwood and it was the 12th ride of his career.
Muzi’s first Gr1 winner was in the 2011 President’s Champions Challenge aboard Joey Soma’s Happy Landing,
He is now in his eighth year as a qualified jockey and has a hectic work rate.
He is currently at third spot behind Andrew Fortune and Anthony Delpech on the national log and has ridden in over 335 races this season already.
Congratulations Muzi!
