Makhubo misses final leg but still wins Challenge

Abram Makhubo

SOUTH Africa’s jet-setting work rider Abram Makhubo (left) clinched the inaugural Work Riders’ Challenge, in spite of missing the final leg because he had already left for Korea to begin a highly profitable two-year contract.

Makhubo, who rode work for trainer Mike De Kock in Dubai a couple of years ago, won the first two legs of the Work Riders’ Challenge, a series of three race meetings for work riders introduced this season by Phumelela, the Racing Association and the Racing Trust.

Work riders scored points for finishing in the first four at the three meetings, ranging from 10 for first to 3 for fourth, with a R5,000 prize for the rider getting the most points at each meeting. There were also grand prizes for the three riders who scored the most points across the three meetings with R20,000 for the overall winner, R10,000 for the runner-up and R5,000 for third.

Makhubo’s contract in Korea meant that he had to miss the final leg of the Challenge at Turffontein on Monday 27 April, which gave his rivals a chance to catch him.

Jackson Feni was the star of the show at the third leg and scored 31 points to win the R5,000 prize for the day, but it wasn’t enough to catch Makhubo, who was a massive 44 points ahead after the first two legs.

Makhubo got home by 13 points to win the R20,000 grand prize with Feni second, while Chamu Mabaya and Simphiwe Tshaka tied for third and shared R5,000.

Trainers were encouraged to support the challenge series with bonuses for the four trainers whose horses earned the most points at the three meetings. Sean Tarry took the R10,000 first prize with bonuses of R5,000 for second, R3,000 for third and R2,000 for fourth.

Former champion jockey James Maree runs the Work Riders’ Training Programme, which has improved the earning capacity of hundreds of grooms who spend their days with thoroughbred racehorses, and is thrilled with Makhubo’s good fortune.

"It’s fantastic. People overseas noticed him on Racing International TV and offered him a contract. The exposure on television made all the difference," said Maree.

He was also thrilled with opportunities the Work Riders’ Challenge gave his pupils. It presented the riders who passed through his "school" a good opportunity to earn money - they were paid normal wages for each ride and earned the jockeys’ percentage of stakes - and it gave them plenty of exposure on national and international television.

"The Work Riders’ Training Programme and initiatives like the Challenge have changed the lives of so many - not just the riders because as their income improves, the lives of the people they support improve. The spin-off’s fantastic!"