Born in the rural village of Peuleni Location in King Williams Town, Eastern Cape, Philasande Mxoli's journey to becoming a professional jockey is a testament to resilience and determination. Growing up in poverty, Mxoli was raised by a single mother. "I grew up in a very poor background, where I was raised by a single parent (mom)," he recalls. "I started riding horses when I was 13 years old because I never used to play any sport at school because of my height and my tiny body."

Mxoli's passion for horses began as a way to spend his free time after school. "I started focusing more on horses because that’s where I could spend my spare time after school," he explains. This passion turned into a career after he met M. Mthandeki and L. Magongo in 2017, who introduced him to bush racing. "That’s when I became a champion," he says proudly. "I rode 91 winners, including two big races."

In 2017, Mxoli won the prestigious Berlin November race on Remember for trainer Mjikeliso and repeated the feat in 2018 on Final Judgment for trainer Magongo. Recognizing his potential, Mr. Magongo helped him pursue a professional jockey career. "I asked Mr. Magongo to make me a professional jockey," says Mxoli. "He took me to Gqeberha, Fairview Racecourse, for recruitment, and I was very lucky because they chose me out of eight youngsters that were there."

Mxoli joined the jockey academy in 2019 and signed his racing papers that August. He quickly made an impression. "I got my first ride from Mr. Kom Naidoo where I ran third at Scottsville Racecourse on a horse called Royal Katrina," he says. Mxoli moved to Johannesburg later that year, and his career began to take off. "I rode my first winner in January 2020 in Kimberly (Flamingo Park) for trainer Stephanie Miller on a horse called Man After Midnight," he recalls. "I then rode my second winner the next day at the Vaal Racecourse for trainer Candice Dawson on a horse called Epic Dream."

Despite initial struggles to find consistent support, Mxoli persevered. "I couldn’t get a lot of support," he admits. However, trainers like Stuart Pettigrew, Paul Matchett, Grant Maroun, Tony Peter, and Candice Dawson believed in him. "They supported me until my claim was finished," he says. Mxoli’s hard work paid off, as he left the academy in 2023 with 96 winners, including three Grade 3 races. "Mr Tarry gave me my first group race on Litigation (Victory Moon)," he says. "Then Mr. Pettigrew gave me two Group 3 wins on one of my favorite horses, Alula’s Star."

Mxoli’s success continued in Cape Town, where he rode several winners for Glen Kotzen. He remains grateful for the support of his trainers. "I’m still getting a lot of support from these trainers," he says. "Thanks to them for continued support and for always being behind my back."

On July 6th, Mxoli will compete in his first Durban July, riding Purple Pitcher for trainer Robyn Claasen and owner Stincky Pooe. "I really appreciate their opportunity and giving me a chance to prove myself in the big one," he says. "It’s every jockey’s dream to get a ride in it and win it."

Philasande Mxoli's journey from a small village in Eastern Cape to the grand stage of South African horse racing is a remarkable story of passion, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.