The romance of a duel between two competitors from very different walks of life and their battle for supremacy at the pinnacle of the South African jockey log raged on at the Vaal on Monday.
Multiple Northern Cape champion Muzi Yeni held a single winner advantage over the decade younger reigning SA Champion, Lyle Hewitson as the sun set on the Vereeniging track.
Lyle and Muzi at Fairview on Friday (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
The two talented riders went head to head in the penultimate race of the afternoon, Lyle gaining the edge by a literal whisker, over the industrious Muzi, who had banged home a winner in the previous race.
The sub-plot of the tussle for supremacy at the top of the tree has added a fresh dimension to our often dull midweek racing, with supporters on both sides urging their man on.
It is striking how similar the two are in terms of their ability to get horses to run for them, as well as their professionalism and personal work ethic – and yet worlds apart in terms of their upbringing, experience – and even riding style.
Muzi wins the 2018 Gr1 Premiers Champions Challenge on Coral Fever (Pic – JC Photos)
The 32 year old Clermont born and raised Muzi Yeni, described by a colleague as ‘a powerful, aggressive, busy and hardworking rider’, was educated at Hunt Road Secondary School and, prompted solely by his Dad, had no exposure to horses prior to his arrival at the SA Jockey Academy.
The son of a jockey and a Mom who was a polocrosse player and amateur rider, the 21 year old Lyle Hewitson, described by the same colleague as ‘a true horseman with great hands and a bright future, probably overseas’, was born in Port Elizabeth and moved to Ballito in 2007 at the age of 9.
He matriculated at Kearsney College before going on to the academy. Through his parents, he was exposed to a love of the horse from an early age.
Lyle gets the better of Bernard Fayd’herbe on Snowdance to win the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes on Redberry Lane (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Lyle, who rode his first winner at the age of 15 as an amateur rider, only came out of his time in January this year and already had three Gr1 trophies in his cabinet, as well as the rare achievement, reserved for the likes of legends of the ilk of Michael Roberts, of having being crowned SA Champion jockey in his apprentice year.
A natural lightweight and prolific traveller, the Winning Form-sponsored Muzi has ridden in 262 races more than his opponent this term – that’s over a month more of rides on average – with a win strike rate of 11,87%, accumulating stakes of R15,7 million – versus the Avontuur-sponsored Lyle’s 14,46% strike and stakes of R20,6 million.
Muzi has ridden six Gr1 winners to date, with Lyle’s glorious big double on Saturday bringing him to a total of five – achieved in double quick time for any young jockey.
With the support of the powerful Tarry yard, there is no question that Lyle may have the edge in terms of stakes accumulation and feature winners. But the freelancing Muzi has saddle and will travel – and the Flamingo Park maiden winners count as much as a SA Champions Season Gr1 when it comes to deciding the new champion.
Who is your money on?
Hollywood are betting on the jockey championship:
1-1 Lyle Hewitson
18-10 Muzi Yeni
3-1 Anton Marcus
8-1 Gavin Lerena
500-1 Greg Cheyne, Richard Fourie, Warren Kennedy & Ryan Munger
