Off the record #54

Betway Bonuses Transform Lives of Summer Cup Grooms

The R6-million Betway Summer Cup offers substantial rewards to owners, trainers and jockeys, and last year’s brilliant grooms initiative of a R20,000 bonus per groom for Cup runners will be repeated for the 2024 renewal of Johannesburg’s flagship race on Saturday.

The Betway bonuses ensure that the hardworking handlers aren’t left out in the cold, and was met with gratitude and excitement in 2023. Registered grooms are also entitled to 1% of stake monies earned by their runners, which gives those participating in the R6-millon race a chance of an even bigger payday.

Jonathan Blumberg, Head Of Customer Experience for the betting giant, said: “Grooms form the backbone of the thoroughbred industry. Their skill, dedication, and love for the horses often go unnoticed, but they are essential to the industry’s success. This is a gesture of our appreciation, as we acknowledge the role they play in racing.”

Thoroughbred grooms are the silent architects of every victory on the track. They start their days in the pre-dawn stillness, long before the world awakens, and dedicate themselves to the care and preparation of the horses assigned to them. Their equine athletes are treated as if they were family. They are fed, walked, washed and groomed, and their stables are kept meticulously clean. Many grooms are also capable work riders and trainers rely on their daily reports, following exercise gallops.

Grooms’ salaries range from between R6,000 to R7,500 per month, plus on-course bonuses and a 1% share of stakes received, so the R20,000 represents the equivalent of approximately three months’ wages.

The grooms of Royal Victory, as well as those who work with Winchester Mansion, Atticus Finch and Litigation, will receive their second rounds of bonuses this year, fortunate to be involved with runners of this calibre who were also in the race in 2023.  

Above: Zwelithini Yenge

Zwelithini Yenge (52) got R20,000 and his share of the 2023 winners’ cheque and almost R60,000 was paid into his bank account last year after Royal Victory’s win. Natasha Culverwell, assistant to trainer Nathan Kotzen, sent us a voice clip of Zwelithini, who has a deep voice and laughed with sheer pleasure and gratitude when he was asked about this opportunity to cash in, again.

“The Betway bonus has totally changed my life, and my wife is smiling,” said Zwelithini via a translator. He has built a house and paid school fees for his kids. Natasha added: “We call Zwelithini by his nickname, ‘Tenup’. He is a Summerveld veteran who worked for David Payne for many years. He is most deserving of this windfall and we’re all hoping for a repeat of last year’s success.”

Sibingiseni Jack (Litigation, Sean Tarry) will receive his second R20,000 and he’ll be hoping that Litigation can finish in the money this time. “My mother has no income, so I will send this bonus to her. I am very happy and my thanks go to Betway,” he said.

Tarry’s other runners are Future Pearl (Sanele Stokwe) and Hotarubi (Tomas Maposse), and both grooms will be getting their first Summer Cup bonuses. Sanele says his family has priority on where and when his cash will be spent, while Tomas said his bonus is much needed for improvements to his house.

Sibabalwe Gidimisane, groom of Alec Laird’s Atticus Finch, got halfway with improvements to his house, using his bonus from 2023. He is delighted to be getting another gift to complete the other half of his house this time, and will also be buying presents for his kids.

Mzimazi Ndlozi has worked for Plattner racing for 14 years. He is based at Andre Nel’s satellite yard in Durban, and assistant trainer Byron Foster said: “Mzimazi regards Cape Eagle as a super champion and handles him with great love and care. He can’t wait for the race. He will be treating his wife and young child to something special when he receives his money.”

Above: Fix Ndziweni

Stuart Pettigrew’s filly, Beating Wings, is groomed by ‘Fix’ Ndziweni. Pettigrew said Fix rides her in work every day and is a caring and dutiful handler. “This Betway incentive is much appreciated, it gets the grooms excited. Our man Fix is certainly deserving of the bonus.” Fix said that he will be putting the money towards obtaining a house, something he has dreamed of for a long time.

Conrad Moraki has been at Zeus’s side for most of his 11 wins and trainer Fabian Habib describes him as a groom who doesn’t miss a day’s work and looks after his horses superbly. Conrad will be paying off his house with his bonus, and is over the moon.

Johannes Mlindi, who looks after Silver Sanctuary, is a family man from Gqeberha who will be spending all his money on his wife and kids. He is confident of a first-three placing from the Mike de Kock-trained filly. Johannes also has Gimmeanotherchance running for him in the Grade 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants.

Also from Summerveld is Mwizoxolo Mdukulwana, the groom of Frank Robinson-trained Madison Valley, a versatile horse who has upset possibilities. Mwizoxoli hasn’t stopped smiling since his runner made the final field, and he will be spending his bonus (and, he hopes, an extra payout for stakes), on education for his children.

Rule By Force’s groom, Nelson Mathe, has also enjoyed a 14-year stint, in the employ of trainer Joe Soma at Turffontein. Nelson said: “I am very grateful to Betway and my bonus will be going to my children.”

Also based at Turffontein is Lungela N’Situodaha, the groom of Tony Peter’s Main Defender, who has a good chance of sharing in the prize money. Lungela is no stranger o good horses, having previously worked with Shangani and Jet Start. This is his first opportunity to earn this amount of money, however, and Peter joked: “Lungela has a one-year-old child and some of that money is going to go to nappies, we know what they cost these days.”

Above: Zola Maqutela

Purple Pitcher’s groom is Zola Maqutela, and he goes by the name of ‘Ziba’. Trainer Robyn Klaasen sent us a video clip of Ziba’s face lighting up when asked about the Betway bonus. He held up two fingers and said, “The money is going to my two kids!”

Above: Abongile 'Popeye' Jali

Michael Roberts spoke about his groom, Abongile, ‘Popeye’ Jali. He said: “I nicknamed him Pop-Eye, after the cartoon character, because when we’re at the track he always looks at me with big eyes. Popeye is the man at See It Again side, and Roberts noted: “See It Again was originally in the care of Jack Thulasizwe, but the sad story is that Jack went home for holidays a few years ago, fell ill and died just before See It Again made his debut. Popeye stepped in to replace him. He has been with us for many years and does an excellent job.”

Roberts said that Popeye has asked for advice on how to invest and spend his R20,000 (or hopefully more!) and that the Roberts family will be assisting him. “He is very pleased, and so are we. Thanks to Betway for their generous sponsorship.