South African jockey S’manga Khumalo has been announced as one of the international jockeys taking part in the Shergar Cup at Ascot next month.
The 28-year-old, who is nicknamed ‘Bling’ after he dyed his hair blond, last year became the first black South African to ride the winner of the country’s premier race, the Durban July.
Khumalo will be riding in Britain for the first time when he joins Japanese ace Yutaka Take and his compatriot Yuichi Fukunaga on the Rest of the World side in the team competition on August 9.
“Winning the Durban July was my career highlight and sent a message to all black South Africans that racing is a sport for all in the modern era,” Khumalo said.
“To be recognised globally and invited to ride in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on the back of that victory is another very proud moment for me and I look forward to meeting and riding with the two Japanese legends in the Rest of the World Team.”
Hayley Turner makes her eighth Shergar Cup appearance as part of the Girls’, along with Canadian Emma-Jayne Wilson and Steffi Hofer.
Frankie Dettori and Andrea Atzeni have been pencilled in for Europe with German-based Dutchman Adrie de Vries.
The Great Britain and Ireland team will be captained by Tom Queally, and organisers hope Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes can also take part.
