No individual blame could be apportioned for the incident during the running of last Saturday’s Allied-Steelrode Onamission Gr2 Charity Mile, which resulted in jockey Muzi Yeni injuring himself, including fracturing a clavicle, when his mount Back In Business clipped heels.
The Stipes have reported that they interviewed jockeys Marco van Rensburg (Winchester Mansion) and Raymond Danielson (Silver Sanctuary) at the Vaal Racecourse on Tuesday 5 November 2024, regarding their possible contribution to the incident in question.
The observations and opinions from both riders were reportedly consistent with the reading of the incident by the Stipendiary Stewards, which was documented in the Stipes report on the day.
After careful consideration of all the evidence, both from the patrol films and the various testimonies from the respective riders, it was found that the incident was a complex one, with contributions from more than one horse and rider.
The Stipes said that the racing manners of Winchester Mansion was the major contributing factor, and several less substantial contributions resulted in Back In Business clipping the heels of Meridius and Jockey Muzi Yeni being dislodged.
They suggested that the seriousness of any incident like this one where a horse/s suffers interference and a Rider falls in a race cannot be underestimated, but at the same time to level a charge against a Rider/s there needs to be sufficient carelessness and/or recklessness to the required degree to sustain a competent charge.
The Stipes determined that due to the complexity of this incident and the role played by several horses and riders, that a charge could not be sustained against riders and have decided to close the matter.
All Riders have been reminded of their obligation to ride competitively and in the best interests of their mounts, but at the same time to ensure that rider safety and horse welfare is always given priority.
Muzi Yeni is expected to be out for at least another six weeks, which is a great pity for the title aspirations of the hardworking national log-leader.
His colleague and friend Smanga Khumalo followed the ambulance transporting Muzi from Turffontein to hospital last Saturday and spent some time there supporting him, with his family.
Smanga tells the Sporting Post that he is currently doing rehabilitation on his knee with his physio and some gym work, which includes rowing – ‘but no weights’.
The former SA champion jockey underwent knee surgery after being dislodged from a horse at the start at Turffontein in September.
He expects to know more when he sees the Specialist again on Thursday 14 November. His says that his intention is to return only when ready, and then stronger!
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