OFF THE RECORD #86

Grit, ambition and new talent
Apprentice Championship set for action

Above: Group photo (SAJA)

The 2025/26 National Apprentice Championship is set to be a season of grit, ambition, and fresh talent. Twenty-two apprentices from the South African Jockeys Academy at Summerveld will be chasing winners across the country. Reigning champion Brevan Plaatjies has a target on his back, new faces are itching for their first victories, and a few claimers are plotting a title push. Behind the numbers lie stories of determination, setbacks, and small triumphs, and this year’s line-up promises no shortage of all three.

Alongside their academic and practical training modules, first-season apprentices must ride in 13 races—five up the straight and eight around the bend—before being cleared to partner first-time runners. They are based in KwaZulu-Natal at the Summerveld Academy under riding masters Martin Ball, Nicky Roebuck and Rocky Agrella; in Gauteng under Robert Moore; and in Cape Town under Colinda Austen. Agrella also oversees the Port Elizabeth-based riders, while several young Mauritian apprentices complete part of their training in South Africa, shuttling between the island and the mainland as required.

We caught up with most of these aspiring jockeys to hear about their ambitions, challenges, and early experiences in the saddle.

The former champion, outgoing:

Above: Kobeli James Lihaba (photo: JC Photographics)

Kobeli James Lihaba was born in Harrismith in 2004 and was raised by his clothes-maker Granny and his Grandfather, who was a labourer in the construction industry. He won the Apprentice Championship in 2023/4 with 49 winners, and finished fifth to Brevan Plaatjies last season. James believes in working hard and trusting his judgement in a race, and said he is expecting to better his tally of 17 from last season, as he is now stable jockey to Turffontein-based, Weiho and Warwick Marwing. He becomes eligible for his professional licence next February and said: “My goals are simply to ride as many winners as I can and to help the Marwing stable to the best of my ability.” James said he now rides work mostly at the Joahnesburg city track, where he has received good support from other stables, including Tony Peter. James is sponsored by the Sporting Post.

The Title Contenders:

Above: Brevan Plaatjies (photo: Chase Liebenberg)

Brevan Plaatjies, who lifted the Equus Award winner for Outstanding Apprentice earlier this week, burst onto the scene with 31 winners from just 280 rides last season, an impressive strike rate for a newcomer. The 20-year-old speaks with conviction and has his sights set on defending his title in 2025/6.

“I am a positive person with goals. I’d like to ride overseas one day. Hong Kong is my aim. I believe my outlook on life and my career has everything to do with what I’ve achieved. Before I relocated to Cape Town, we had lectures on setting goals from Mr Louis Goosen and Mr Gavin van Zyl. Mr Goosen stressed that we must treat ourselves as professional athletes. It’s something that stuck with me.”

Brevan is relishing life in Cape Town, where champion jockey Richard Fourie has become a role model. “Uncle Richie has my back. I was his ‘kit boy’ in Durban. He’s helped me a lot, and I’ve had good support from trainers. I’m happy here.”

He’s unconcerned about losing his 1.5kg claim and confident it won’t affect his momentum. “I don’t think about that. I never have. I have the mettle to compete successfully without a claim. There are a good riders among the 4kg claimers in KZN, like Mxolisi Mbuto, who’ll get his fair share of chances now. But competition is a good thing. I’m always trying to improve, I relish the challenge and I’m here to ride winners.”

Above: Trent Mayhew (photo: Candiese Lenferna)

Trent Mayhew has won 44 races and will continue to claim 1.5kg until he reaches the 50 winner-mark. In his four years as an apprentice, he has twice finished in the Top 3 on the Apprentice Log, and can count himself unlucky not to have taken last year’s title. “I had a lead of 11 winners when I dislocated my shoulder and had to have surgery, but that is racing. There are highs and lows and I am not one to give up,” he said.

Trent (20) has now fully recovered, but in the racing industry you are as good as your last winner, and his comeback has been challenging. “This season, I’ll be focusing on rebuilding rather than chasing the championship. I aim to ride as much work as I can and I’m hoping to secure some steady support from trainers.”

He has already won a Listed race on Lady Fallon for Lucky Houdalakis, and rates Sean Tarry’s Cosmic Speed as one to watch in the new season. “He is really talented, along with William Robertson the best I’ve ridden.”

Above: Jacey Botes (photo: JC Photographics)

Jacey Botes (18) finished third on the log last year with 18 winners. He made a good impression last season, using the advantage of his 4kg claim to the full. The 18-year-old had his first introduction to riding when his uncle, the late Barend Botes, asked him to get on a horse that had just joined his stable at the Vaal. He recalled: “I had no idea what to do. I got on and it was scary. Uncle Barend got the horse to run around a paddock in circles. But I stayed on and the ice was broken. He sadly didn’t get to ride a winner for Barend – had two close places on Beaded Gown - but his career will always remind us of the affable trainer.

Jacey has been fortunate to ride work for several top trainers, including Dean Kannemeyer and Glen Kotzen, and has sat on horses like Green With Envy, Gimme A Prince, Holding Thumbs, On My Honour, Quickstepgal and Cruise Control. His wins include the Walmer Handicap at Fairview on Bosnay, and his favourite jockey is Serino Moodley. He said: “Serino has a riding style that I admire.”

Jacey hopes to improve on last season’s tally. “I believe that determination and motivation are essential to success. I know that the more I put in, the more I get out.”

Above: Dezahn Louw (photo: Wayne Marks / Bay Media)

Just turned 18, Dezahn Louw will arguably be the betting professional’s idea of this season’s value bet to land the championship. With a sponsorship from high-profile Drakenstein Stud already secured, his talent has obviously been noticed. He’s booted home four winners from just a few rides and has impressed experts with his balance and strength. Born in the village of Macassar, near Somerset-West, Dezahn is a cousin to jockey Nathan Klink, who stirred his interest in racing as a youngster.

Dezahn was booked at Kenilworth for the first time earlier this week His first ride, Turbo Twenty, was a winner for Candice Bass-Robinson, and his his proud family was on course to cheer him on. He doesn’t intend to settle in Cape Town just yet. “I’ll be chasing the title and travelling to get as many rides as I can, and my dream is to ride overseas one day,” said the confident youngster. He credits the Summerveld riding masters for his progress and is especially fond of trainer Nathan Kotzen, for whom he has won two races. “I’m also privileged to have worked Mr Kotzen’s top horse, Royal Victory.”

Above: Mxolisi Mbuto (Photo: JC Photographics)

Mxolisi Mbuto (18) already has a distinctive low-in-the-saddle style and has emerged as a serious contender. Mxolisi has ridden 28 winners at an impressive strike rate. He studies the best in the business, modelling his approach on Piere Strydom and Muzi Yeni, and weighs only 49kg, which will keep opportunities at the bottom end of the scale available even when he loses his apprentice’s claim.

Born in Durban, Mxolisi’s first experience with horses came as a young boy on his grandfather’s farm in Umkomaas. When the opportunity arose to join the SA Jockey Academy, he seized it with both hands.

He admits that recent media attention has made him a little nervous, but says he’s in the right frame of mind to handle the spotlight. “I’m not scared of a challenge. I try my best, and I’m competitive,” he said.

Above: Savanna Valjalo (photo: Candiese Lenferna)

Savanna Valjalo is as bright in the classroom as she is talented in the saddle. She holds a B-degree in Marketing Administration and is close to completing her second qualification, a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom). Her studies occupied much of her early 20s, which, at 27, makes her the oldest apprentice to pass through the SA Jockey Academy. Life experience and maturity, however, have given her an early edge. Savanna also boasts the rare distinction of riding winners at four different tracks in three provinces before losing her 4kg claim – two at the Vaal as a work rider, the Ladies International at Kenilworth, one at Greyville, and another at Turffontein.

Her commerce degrees hold wide career promise, but Savanna says she would much rather be riding horses than sitting in an office. Her first encounter with the equine species came at her first birthday party, when she was placed on a pony for a photo session—and loved it.

In later years, she spent time at a “dealing” stable in the Netherlands—where horses are kept briefly before going on sale—acquiring all the basic horse skills, from grooming to stable management. With her interest in business, she also became involved on the sales side.

Looking ahead to the new season, Savanna is brimming with ambition: “I want to reach for the stars. I want to go for the apprentice championship!”

On the Rise:

Durban-born Sfisokuhle Bungane is based in Cape Town and, with four winners to his name, will be claiming 4kg for some time yet. Quietly ambitious, he’s hoping to enjoy a hot streak like fellow apprentice Brevan Plaatjies did last season. He is more reserved than his friend, but Brevan’s positivity has rubbed off on him. “We ride work together at Milnerton and Philippi. I’d like to go for a Top 2 finish on the log this season. I’m learning a lot from trainers and getting better all the time. They shout at us sometimes, but they are also complimentary when we do well.”

Sfiso regularly rides for Eric Sands, Piet Steyn, Des Maclachlan, and Justin Snaith. “I get to sit on some very nice horses in the morning. Some are young and unraced and they feel really good. We’ll see them step out later this season.”

Blaine Marx-Jacobson (19) hails from a prominent racing family. His mother, Candice, rode for several years; his uncles, Dave and Alan, owned dozens of runners; and his cousin, Billy, is still riding successfully in New Zealand.

Blaine’s very first ride, Coming In Hot, was a winner for Fanie Bronkhorst in an apprentice handicap at the Vaal last October. He added another success for Louis Goosen at Greyville in February, and after a quiet spell since, he’s eager to get back in the frame.

“I’m excited about this season because I’m working hard on improving my skills,” he said. He has occasionally phoned Piere Strydom and Gavin Lerena for guidance on how and where to improve, and their advice is paying off.

A possible year-end move back to his home province of Gauteng is on the cards, depending on a decision by the Highveld Academy Master. “For now, I’ve got my head down, I’m riding as much work as I can and doing everything possible to straighten out faults.”

Third-year apprentice Damyan Pillay (18) has had to overcome the frustration of injury. A hip setback kept him on the bench for nearly five months, followed by a gruelling period of rehab and extra hours in the gym.

Before the interruption, Damyan had made a flying start to his career, racking up nine winners in the early part of last season. “I’m fine now, all is good,” he says. “The first week back from injury was hard. It takes time to get back to full fitness, and it was cold, so my hip hurt a bit. But things are improving. I’m riding work for as many trainers as I can. I want to spend the first few months of this season getting my mojo back. All my winners so far are most memorable to me, I love riding.”

Raised on the island of Mauritius, Giresh Samoburthia now likes to call South Africa home. He is in his second year as an apprentice and has chalked up six winners. “I battled to get rides in the beginning, but things are going better now, because I have improved with every ride and I am committed to improving more. Giresh gets plenty of guidance from academy master Robert Moore and said he spends most evening watching old videos of Piere Strydom in action. “Striker is my favourite jockey and I’ve tried to find every video I can, to help me in my own career.” He enjoys riding for Alec Laird and said he is confident of adding a good number of winners to his tally this season.”

Above: Girish Dookhit (Photo: SAJA)

18-year-old Girish Dookhit is another Mauritian-born who hopes to remain in South Africa when he has completed his term at the Randjesfontein Academy. Now in his second year, he has ridden five winners and has 15 more to go before he loses his 4kg claim. Girish has good things to say about senior jockey Raymond Danielson, who has helped him on the work tracks, and he does most of his riding for Paul Matchett. The best horse he has sat on is Matchett’s recent Grade 2 winner Zalatoris, a runner he believes has much more to come.

Above: Nirvan Nastilli (Photo: JC Photographics)

Iannish Taka is on a four-week stint in Mauritius and will be joining Nirvan Nastilli in Gqeberha on his return. Iannish rode in Cape Town last season and steered home three winners, while Nirvan has been in consistently good form around the country. The bulk of his 33 winners have come at Fairview.

First winners in sight:

Mauritian Varun Jodhee was a late starter at 22. He’s had 17 rides for a few places, and hopes to get off the mark soon. He came to Cape Town just a few weeks ago and lives at the academy residence near Milnerton with Brevan Plaatjies and Sfisokuhle Bungane. Varun wants nothing more than to get his first winner out of the way. He is appreciative of help given by Michelle Rix, Piet Botha and Karl Neisius. “Mr Neisius is teaching me valuable race riding skills, including use of the stick,” said Varun.

Above: Bongani Makhubo (Photo: JC Photographics)

Bongani Makhubo has racing in his blood. His late father, Abram Makhubo, was a multiple champion work rider before his untimely passing in 2012, when Bongani was just six years old. He remembers accompanying his father to the races and spending hours at Mike de Kock’s yard, where Abram worked. “I left school in 2023 because I wanted to be a jockey, and Mr De Kock sent me to Mr James Maree’s work riders’ academy. I was too light to ride in races then – only 45kg – but I’m up to 50kg now,” says Bongani, who is completing his matric at the South African Jockeys Academy this year.

He has had four race rides so far, with a recent fourth place on De Kock’s Mojo Man. “I know what I’ve been doing wrong – I’ve watched all my races. Mr De Kock has been a mentor. It was tough at first, learning their training methods and the pace they want horses to run at, but things are coming together now. I can’t wait to ride my first winner, because trainers take you more seriously once they see you can get the job done.”

Currently sidelined with a foot injury, Bongani is making the most of his recovery time. “I’ll settle back in at school, and I’ve been reading up on form and pedigrees. I want to know as much as I can about the industry I’m in.”

At 21, Divesh Ramkhalawon has completed his matric, allowing him to focus fully on the equine study modules and riding technique at the South African Jockeys Academy. His first – and so far only – race ride was almost a dream debut. Partnering Gareth van Zyl’s Wiccan Warrior, he was beaten by the proverbial nose in a sprint won by Licence To Thrill. “I briefly thought I’d won, but the photo showed otherwise,” he said.

Divesh has set himself three clear goals: to ride his first winner, to sharpen his skills with every opportunity, and, in the long run, to become a jockey trainers know they can rely on.

Above: Wilmien Fourie (Photo: SAJA)

Wilmien Fourie (20) first sat on a horse at the age of 17 and was instantly hooked. She soon moved into vaulting and showjumping before joining Kevin and Alyson Wright as a work rider at Summerveld. She has had three race rides to date and said: “I’d like to get my first winner on the board. In the longer term, I’d love to travel as much as I can, to different racing centres.”

A keen follower of former Champion Jockey Keegan de Melo, Wilmien tracks all his rides in Hong Kong. She credits Sean Veale for valuable guidance on the work track and believes that technique is the decisive factor in the saddle. “I think the female apprentices are physically just as strong as our male colleagues. The skill is in your hands,” she said.

Above: Petra Porffy (Photo: SAJA)

Petra Porffy (21) is a well-travelled, native Hungarian who grew up in the English community of Kenya and speaks perfect English. She’s been riding horses since the age of four, rode work for trainers domiciled in the small Hungarian industry and completed her matric in Budapest.

Petra was on a kite-surfing trip to Cape Town in 2023 when South African racing caught her attention. “Racing here is spectacular, I don’t know why it is not more popular overseas,” she noted. She applied for an apprenticeship at SAJA and after several months of filling in official documents, received her five-year visa in April.

Petra had her first and only ride in July, finishing midfield in a strong sprint handicap. “It was a hugely exciting experience for me. My mount Elizabedi Gold was a bit tough going to the start but I got him under control and he ran a fair race.”

Petra is receiving treatment for an elbow niggle and will be briefly out of action. “I want to get this behind me so I can make every effort to get around to as many trainers as I can for experience,” she said.

Vishek Ramdhonee (23) is nursing a knee injury. He will be relocating to Gqeberha and is keen to ride again soon. “This is just a temporary setback, I am hoping to prove myself to the trainers at Fairview,” said Vishek. Bavish Soodoo is a first-year apprentice who had his first four rides at Fairview on 4 August and placed third on Canford Queen for Zietsman Oosthuizen.