The Sunday Mail
Tariro Charandura
WHILE most of his peers have left Zimbabwe to seek presumably greener pastures Morgan Nyamagwete is staying put.
To him there is something special about racing in Zimbabwe and although he finished fifth in last weekend’s OK Grand Challenge main horse race the 37-year old still felt like a winner.
“I was a bit disappointed by finishing fifth at the OK Grand Challenge but overally being there, representing Zimbabwe brought with it some satisfaction,” said Nyamagwete.
“Being a jockey is no longer as lucrative as it was when I started in 1999 and most of the guys have left.
“The exodus of local jockeys explains why most of the guys we had at the OK Grand Challenge were foreigners.
“Racing in your country makes one feel special and that is why I have decided to stay in Zimbabwe.”
Nyamagwete, who is the defending Republic Cup champion, always has an early start to the day and says behind all the glitter is a lot of hard work.
“A lot of people do not realize how difficult the life of a jockey is. They see the cars and the clothes and believe that this is all easy, believe me it’s not.
“Every day I wake up at 5 am and train for three hours. Then there is also the issue of managing one’s weight.
“The weight requirement for a jockey is between 50 and 60 kg and I am currently weighing 52kg. The challenge is to stay in the range,” he said.
Being a professional jockey means that Nyamagwete is always on the lookout for races.
At the end of the month he will be traveling to Kuwait for a series of races.
“I don’t have a fixed salary but riding horses is my profession… the more I ride is the more I make money,” he said.
“Last year I won my maiden race in Kuwait and I will be going there again to defend my title and possibly win more races. “I hope to be there for about six months but if there is a race in Zimbabwe I will certainly come because I love riding in my country.”
Nyamagwete was introduced to horse racing by a family friend in 1999 and did not have to wait long before celebrating his maiden victory. “The major turnaround of my career was in 2000 when I claimed my first victory. Winning that race made me believe that I have a future as a jockey.
“In 2008 I won the Golden Cup in Kenya and then the Kuwait derby last year.
“I am the reigning Republic Cup champion and dream of more success in Zimbabwe,” said Nyamagwete.
