SEDIBENG – The Durban July 2023 Jockey winner is a young man from the Vaal. Although born in Meadowlands, Soweto, the 24-year-old lived part of his grown-up life in Sebokeng.
Knowing nothing about horses until his matric in Khutlo-Tharo Secondary School, his love for being a Jockey came to life when he attended a career expo in Sandton in 2016. Matsunyane met South African Jockey Academy marketing personnel who approached him and introduced horse racing as a career.
Since then, the enthusiastic young man never turned back, instead, he invested time in learning about his career as a professional jockey. In his Linkedin profile, Matsunyane explains in detail how his ambition turned into a blessing.
“I found my passion and purpose when introduced to the sport of horse racing in 2016. My interest after their (SA Jockey Academic personnel) presentation led me to ask my dad to take me to the Vaal Racecourse where I witnessed my first race and then became an avid race follower watching racing being staged all over the world on tv. All I could think about was the adrenaline rush the jockeys felt and the speed of these magnificent horses,” he said.
“A year later, I found myself training hard and passing all the fitness and academic tests, gaining myself a bursary to study and train at the South African Jockey Academy, and in my second year I was afforded the opportunity to visit to the British Racing School and spent a month learning how racing, training and horse care is conducted. In my third year I was then afforded the opportunity to race in France where I landed 4th place in the Future Racing Stars Apprentice Race,” he ended.
Matsunyane is the second black jockey to ever win the Durban July race together with his horse, Winchester Mansion. Sharing his joy across all his social media platforms following his triumph, Matsunyane said winning the race wasn’t easy.
“It has been a tough journey with so many valley moments in my racing career but I am so thankful to God for seeing me through and my amazing family for the support and love. Thank you, Mrs Rupert and the Drakenstein Stud Team for breeding such a Gem in Winchester Mansion,” he said.
