S'manga Khumalo charged with race-fixing and banned for ten years

Khumalo, a trailblazer in South African racing and the country's first black champion jockey, enjoyed a distinguished career that included more than 2,300 winners and 22 Grade 1 victories. 

The popular rider etched his name into the record books as the first black jockey to win the prestigious Durban July when guiding Sean Tarry's Heavy Metal to victory in 2023. Khumalo won South Africa's most famous race for a second time in 2022, winning aboard Mike de Kock's mare Sparkling Water.

Raised in Durban's KwaMashu township, Khumalo overcame significant obstacles to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Known to many fans as "Bling" because of his distinctive style, including bleached hair and crystal earrings, he became one of racing's most recognisable personalities, and even represented the continent in the 2014 Shergar Cup held at Ascot in the UK.

However, his career has now been overshadowed by disciplinary findings following an NHA investigation. Khumalo was suspended in March and faced three separate charges before an inquiry panel.

The rider admitted providing confidential racing information to an unauthorised individual, Noor Iqbal, knowing that the information could be used to place bets. He also pleaded guilty to receiving payments exceeding £5,000 in exchange for supplying information and for riding, or agreeing to ride, in a way that could influence the performance of a horse or the outcome of a race for betting purposes.

A further allegation centred on races run between October 2025 and February 2026. Investigators claimed Khumalo deliberately failed to ensure certain horses performed on their merits by restraining them, failing to secure the best possible finishing position, or not following riding instructions. Although Khumalo denied this charge, the inquiry board ultimately found him guilty.

Following its ruling, the NHA announced the immediate cancellation of Khumalo's riding licence and imposed a lengthy ban from the sport. The decision means Khumalo faces a ten-year effective ban from racing, subject to any appeal proceedings.

In its official statement, the inquiry board said: "Mr Khumalo is precluded from applying for, renewing, holding, or being issued any jockey licence for a period of 15 years, commencing March 23, 2026, of which five years are suspended for 15 years. Mr Khumalo has the right of appeal."