Multiple champion jockey Leslie Sercombe
The host country Kenya have named a powerhouse trio for the Kenya Jockey Club 110 year anniversary celebrations International Jockeys Challenge to be held in January 2015.
Zimbabwe were the first challengers to announce their team some ten days ago.
The Jockey Club of Kenya, under the guidance of Tom Fraser, recently announced that 18 January 2015 would be the best day of racing Kenya had ever experienced.
The Kenya Guineas is Ngong’s first classic of the season, and will take pride of place on the day.
The four nation jockey challenge, which will include the hosts and the cream of the crop from South Africa, Mauritius and Zimbabwe, will be held over designated races on the afternoon
The Kenya team is made up of Leslie Sercombe, who has been champion jockey eight years running, James Muhindi Mwangi and Patrick Mungai Njuguna.
Let’s meet the three riders:
Leslie Sercombe
What is your name and age?
My name is Lesley Sercombe, I am 40 years young
Please tell us about your schooling and upbringing.
I schooled in Kenya and England. I started riding as soon as I could walk, and I’ve always been around racing and thoroughbreds. I started pony racing when I was 13 – and that was me hooked! I started racing professionally at 18, and I’ve been with the same racing yard since I started.
I work for Patsy Sercombe, my mother, for whom I am also assistant trainer.
You have some interesting family connections in the sport?
My mother has been a trainer for over 40 years. My grandfather trained in Kenya as did my uncle. My cousin was a jockey here too.
Apprentice history
I was champion apprentice and champion jockey in the same season.
Most memorable winner
Winning the Derby in 2013 on the greatest horse I’ve ever ridden – Westonian.
Winners
I’ve ridden about 600 winners in my career.
Your favourite jockey worldwide
Has to be Frankie Detorri.
Championships won
I’ve won 13 championships, the last eight have been in a row!
Where do you see yourself in the future
If racing is going well in Kenya, I will follow in my mother’s footsteps and become a trainer. If not, I’d like to go to vet school. I am currently a personal fitness trainer, and run a boot camp, so I’d continue with that as well.
What does riding in this challenge mean to you?
It is a privilege and an honour to be riding in this challenge, and I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for both jockeys and punters. Being the only female riding in the challenge, I feel a sense of responsibility to represent women.
Patrick Njuguna
Patrick Njuguna
What is your name and age?
My name is Patrick Mungai Njuguna, I am 29
Please tell us about your schooling and upbringing.
I was brought up in a horsey family as my Dad Steve Njuguna was a champion jockey and he taught me about caring for horses at a young age after I left primary education I learnt to ride and never looked back.
You have some interesting family connections in the sport?
Yes my Dad whom retired from race riding is now a trainer and my uncle David Ngure is also a jockey and came with me to Zimbabwe as a work rider for Nur Nuno to ride for Mr David Armstrong.
Apprentice history
I was champion apprentice twice 2008/09 and 2009/10
Most memorable winner
It must be winning the 2012 Kenya Derby on Just Bluffing(saf) and earlier in 2011 winning the Kenya St.Ledger on Skeleton Coast(saf)
How long have you been a Jockey?
In 2004 I was an apprentice I lost my claim in 2010 to become a fully fledged jockey
Current Trainer?
Nur Nuno and M.Nur – their stable yard is at the racecourse and they buy horses every year from South Africa at the TBA 2 year old sales
How many winners have you ridden?
I’ve ridden about 100 winners to date.
Who is your favourite jockey worldwide?
Anton Marcus from South Africa. His wins on Variety Club in Dubai and Hong Kong make him number one.
Your championship performances?
I finished in the top three last season 2013/14
Where do you see yourself in the future?
Riding more winners and if fortunate, I would like to ride in other countries against other top jockeys.
What does riding in this challenge mean to you?
It feels great to be representing my country. We have top jockeys coming from Kenya and now I hope they can watch us riding against the best from Africa
James Mwangi
What is your name and age?
My name is James Muhindi Mwangi, I am 28 year old
Please tell us about your schooling and upbringing.
I went to primary school and joined Mr Oliver Gray as a young boy to learn and ride which gave me my professional grounding. This pleased my Dad who was already involved with the sport
You have some interesting family connections in the sport?
My father worked with horses as a groom and my interest was to follow his footsteps.
Apprentice history
I won the champion apprentice title in 2010/11 season
Most memorable winner?
My greatest season was winning The Kenya Guineas and the Fillies Guineas in 2010 winning both on the same horse Armstrong’s Girl(saf)
How many winners have you ridden?
I’ve ridden about 90 winners to date.
Your favourite jockey worldwide
SA Champion S’manga Khumalo, who has ridden many times in Kenya.
Championships won?
None to date since becoming a full jockey
Where do you see yourself in the future?
As long as my weight will allow me I will ride for as long as I am able to.
What does riding in this challenge mean to you?
I am very delighted and honoured to have been chosen to represent Kenya and thank the selectors for selecting me.
