Could Muzi Yeni be in for a career-best season and challenge for a first South African jockey championship this season? The way things are going in the saddle for the 36-year-old, all signs point towards it being a ‘yes’.
Yeni has come out the blocks flying since the new season began, registering 37 wins from 174 rides and striking hot at over 21 percent. Trailing Yeni are the usual names high on the ladder, Richard Fourie (24 wins) and Gavin Lerena (22 wins).
The charismatic Yeni has been a regular in the top 5 on the national log and finished a close second to Hong Kong-based Lyle Hewitson on two occasions, including 2018/19 when he fell just three wins shy. But the current season could see Yeni rise to the top thanks to leading owner Willem Ackerman’s signing of the jockey for Stone-Stamcor last season, as well as other strong support in other regions. No doubt, Fourie will be hot on Yeni’s heels as, generally, he enjoys top stable support country-wide.
