Champ S’manga back in action at Turffontein

Jack Milner

It’s my gift and I have to use it.

That is the sentiment expressed by two-time champion jockey S’manga Khumalo on his return to racing at Turffontein tomorrow.

“There’s nothing I cherish more than riding horses and what’s better than coming back on a big day like Classic Day,” said Khumalo.

Khumalo has been out of action since 25 September when the horse he was riding stumbled, and he took a tumble which tore a ligament in his knee.

“I’ve not experienced an injury like that before. I thought I would be back in November, but it didn’t work out.

“In a race, our whole bodyweight is carried by our knees and ankles and as I still had pain in the one knee, I tried to compensate by relying on the other knee.

“I was still feeling the pain, so we decided I should have all the necessary physio and delay the comeback until it came right.

“Recently I started riding work, did a couple of gallops and felt everything had returned to normal, no pain.”

While it is a big day, Khumalo has no mounts in the big races, rather taking it slowly with three rides on the day, two from Fabian Habib and one from Candice Dawson.

“Fabian has always been a supporter of mine,” said Khumalo. “He’s been kind and spoke to the owners. We had excellent stats prior to the injury.

“Candice has always been great. I’ve ridden lots of winners for her.”

The key for Khumalo is to get his confidence back.

“Self-confidence is the most important thing. I can’t demand now to ride the best horses. Before becoming champion jockey I had to build the confidence of being the champion.

“Once I regain that confidence, it will be back to normal.”