Third year SA Jockey Academy apprentice Thabiso Gumede made it a day to remember at Greyville on Wednesday when he booted his first winner home at just his ninth ride and contributed to a R564 000 Pick 6 dividend.
Thabiso Gumede shows the veterans how it’s done as Fleek storms home (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Thabiso only had his first race ride on 2 September 2018 at Scottsville when he piloted Kirav’s Tune for Kom Naidoo.
But he looked the veritable cool-as-a-cucumber professional on Wednesday as he steered the longshot Fleek for Ashburton trainer, Louis Goosen, to victory in the sixth race, a low rated fillies and mares handicap.
The winner started at 22-1.
The 4kg claimer grew up close to Summerveld and the SA Jockey Academy at Shongweni and credits his Uncle, a former SAJA Security Guard, with having introduced him to racing and a possible career as a jockey.
He has labelled former SA champion jockey S’manga Khumalo as his hero and says that his Mom, elder Brother and Grandmother would be proud to hear that he had broken the ice so early.
