Jack Milner
At just 1.46 metres tall, Muzi Yeni describes himself as somebody who is “small in stature but big in personality”.
He has a smile that can light up a room and has acquired a massive following among punters.
But he believes there is more at stake than just victory in Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, it is also about the doors it could open.
“To be one of the great riders in the country you have to win big races like the Durban July, so for me to be recognised I need to win a race of this magnitude,” said Yeni.
“The Met, the July, and all other major race, winning them opens doors. You no longer have to phone around to try and find a 10-1 and upwards shot, once you start winning these races you get to ride the best horses in the country.”
Yeni did not grow up with any knowledge of horses or racing. It was his father who saw the opportunity and advised his son to become a jockey.
“I was a township boy, I knew nothing about racing, I hadn’t sat on a horse in my life. At that time there were hardly any black jockeys. I didn’t have a very good relationship with my father but my grandparents, who I was close to, advised me to give it a try. They said that if I don’t like it, I could always come home.
“What I always did have was a great love for animals, especially dogs at that time, because there were always dogs in the townships.
“I just enjoyed working with the horses more than anything else, and that gave me the passion. The more you ride the more quality you get to ride and the better everything goes. Everything clicked.”
Yeni had always been a keen sportsman and an extremely competitive one at that. “I played soccer at school and really enjoyed the outdoors but my height damaged my sporting aspirations
“I soon realised that at least with racing, being small was not a disadvantage.”
So far Yeni’s best performances in the Durban July have come in the last two years, finishing second in 2020 and third last year, both aboard Got The Greenlight.
This year he rides the current 4-1 favourite – three-year-old Safe Passage – for trainer Mike de Kock.
“I was very fortunate to get the ride. A lot of jockeys committed early to their rides and that gave me the opportunity.
“I went to work horses at the yard and asked for the ride in the Daily News. Mr de Kock said, ‘if you ride him here you ride him in the July’.
“I obviously wanted to ride him in the July and the opportunity came to me.
“In the Daily News I thought it would be hard to beat Pomp And Power because Safe Power didn’t have the best prep – but class is class!”
As a result of his victory in that race Safe Passage was given a 1.5kg penalty for the Durban July but Yeni does not appear too concerned.
“I would rather have a class horse who has beaten the other horses. The Daily News is in the bag and honestly, he is much better now. He won’t have a problem carrying the extra 1.5kg.”
His instruction in the Daily News was to ride Safe Passage old, that his mission was the Durban July. “So I dropped him out and Pomp And Power went off to the front and it worked out well for us.
“I believe we have not seen the best of Pomp And Power and I still make him my danger.”
He also believes there will be a reasonable pace in this year’s race. “In the July they won’t go that slowly.
As far as my tactics go, I’ve just got to ride my race open-mindedly according to how it pans out, and keep in mind that famous saying in racing.
“You’re only as good as your last winner.”
PICTURE: GOLD CIRCLE/CANDIESE LENFERNA