Muzi Yeni, one of South Africa's leading jockeys, has been granted a one-day visiting jockey license to compete at the prestigious Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup on Saturday, 5 October. The Durban-born rider will partner with Smart Star, a horse trained by David Kok, in the 2000m handicap race, a significant event in Singapore's racing calendar but also the last racemeeting ever as the industry shuts down. 

This isn’t Yeni’s first stint in Singapore. Six years ago, he rode in two meetings, including the inaugural Premier Gateway International Jockeys Challenge at Kranji on 25 September. Though he did not secure a win, he showed his skill by finishing second and third in two of his 12 rides.

Yeni’s journey in horse racing began when he graduated from the South African Jockey Academy in 2003, quickly establishing himself as a force in the sport. By the 2007/2008 season, he became a fully qualified jockey and has since dominated local championships. He has claimed the Northern Cape championship 11 times, the Eastern Cape title twice, and the Highveld championship once, solidifying his place among South Africa's best jockeys.

With over 2,000 career wins, including 16 Group 1 victories, Yeni's record speaks for itself. His first Group 1 win came in the 2011 President’s Champions Challenge on outsider Happy Landing, and he has since repeated that victory multiple times, including a recent win aboard Royal Victory in 2024. Beyond his success in South Africa, Yeni has ridden internationally, with appearances in Brazil, Greece, Macau, Mauritius, and South Korea. Currently leading the South African jockeys' premiership with 49 wins, Yeni continues to be a dominant figure in the sport, maintaining a riding weight of 50 kilograms.