Leading owner Willem Ackerman’s signing of jockey Muzi Yeni for Stone-Stamcor last season in the middle of a professional crisis has proven something of a masterstroke, with the multiple regional champion jockey in red-hot form and riding winners like a man possessed this term.
The 36 year old Yeni, who was involved in a widely publicized spat with a colleague in KZN just six months ago, has bounced back and has six decent rides at the Vaal on Tuesday as he looks to build on his flying start.
Muzi Yeni – man on a mission (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Quoted at just over 8-1 on the Hollywoodbets betting boards to win the 2023/24 SA Champion title, the enthusiastic Claremont Durban-born jockey has ridden 19 winners at a strike of 24%, with a week left of the first month of the new season. That despite a 10 day suspension!
At his current rate, he could conceivably challenge for the R1 million offered by Hollywoodbets for the first jockey to break the magic Anthony Delpech mark of 334 winners in a season.
But it’s early days, and Richard Fourie and Gavin Lerena are both on 10 winners, and together with the likes of past champion Smanga Khumalo, must be serious threats to the title dreams of the charismatic Yeni.
His agent Tony Jacob told the Sporting Post that Muzi was targeting 200 winners this season.
“Last season Muzi got to 149 winners with 9 weeks of suspension. So achieving 200 is very realistic. We are fortunate to enjoy support from a nice growing yard like Kelly Mitchley in the Eastern Cape, while in KZN Alyson Wright is Muzi’s core yard, with chances to ride for others. Then on the Highveld, Roy Magner and Robbie Sage provide the rides, and we are open again to ride for other stables,” said Tony.
He cautioned that he felt that it would be very difficult to beat Richard Fourie, who enjoyed top stable support countrywide.
“Muzi is determined and motivated. It would be nice to build more opportunities down in the Cape, and we are always open to travel,” added the experienced agent.
With 2156 winners under the belt, 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 3 winners short.
He won the Northern Cape championship eleven times, the Eastern Cape title twice, and has been Highveld champion once.
Yeni registered his first winner at the 12th ride of his career when Storm King won for Mike de Kock at Clairwood in November 2003.
Stone-Stamcor, founded in 1945, are manufacturers of electrical and mechanical products. They represent a number of renowned international companies and quality brands in both industries. Visit www.stonestamcor.co.za.
