Second year SA Jockey Academy apprentice Jabu Jacobs displayed a cucumber cool disposition when coming from last on the short Greyville home straight on Sunday to boot his first career winner home.
Jabu guides Winter’s Coming to victory (Pic Candiese Marnewick)
The 17 year old, who hails from Petrusville near Kimberley in the Northern Cape, had many lengths to make up on the leaders at the 300m as he guided Winter’s Coming through the field in the fourth race.
With 50m to spare, Jabu was in front and that’s where he stayed.
“At the 300m I felt that I had them and that I just had to keep a cool head,” says the well mannered Petrusville High School graduate in a chat with the Sporting Post on Monday afternoon.
Jabu says Winter’s Coming has always been his favourite horse to work in the mornings and has been riding him at track and races for three months. Jabu ran second on the goodlooking gelding a month ago when his stable companion beat him, and says he was quietly confident that he would run a good race on Sunday.
The win on his favourite horse was thus extra special and he thanked Mrs Plattner, Mr Andre Nel, Byron Foster and Thomas Simpkins for their continued support and guidance.
Jabu salutes as he is led in (Pic Candiese Marnewick)
This was his 29th ride and he only started race riding five months ago when he signed his papers in June. He currently rides a lot of work for the Paul Lafferty and Andre Nel Stables at Summerveld, even riding work on Sunday mornings for Andre Nel and Garth Puller.
Jabu has enjoyed a lot of support from these three stables who have given him all of his race rides to date.
The soccer crazy youngster was introduced to horse racing by his cousin’s boyfriend, Robert Khathi, who used to take Jabu to watch races at Kenilworth.
The fast paced action and excitement immediately took his fancy. His favourite jockey is Muzi Yeni, whom he admires for his unique riding style, positive attitude and tenacity, which Jabu hopes to emulate once he begins his race riding career.
Prior to joining the academy, Jabu lived with his Granny and comes from a small family that includes his Mom, Dad, who is a Staff Sergeant in the SA Army, and big brother.
He supports Orlando Pirates and internationally his favourite team is Chelsea.
Ed – we thank Leonard Strong of the SA Jockey Academy for assisting us in arranging the interview with Jabu
