News / National
Borrowdale Race Course or Borrowdale Racism Course, Castle Tankard eye opener
13 Jun 2011 at 04:54hrs | Views
Horse racing observers have expressed concern over the persistent sidelining of black jockeys in preference to their white South African counterparts, a move they believe will affect the careers of the up and coming black riders if no corrective action is taken.
In what some observers have described as a clear case of racism, black jockeys at Borrowdale Race Course are being short changed as white race horse trainers are opting for white South African jockeys at their expense despite the high cost of flying the foreign jockeys to Zimbabwe.
The black jockeys have however chosen to remain mum and suffer silently for fear of victimisation.
Most of the jockeys are not being given rides during race meetings, meaning they miss out on the US$65 riding fee for each horse ridden during the race meeting outside other allowances.
The fact that only 3 black jockeys were given rides in a line-up of 15 jockeys in the recently held Grand Challenge and 2 riders made their way to the list of 16 riders in the Tankard, gives an indication of the scenario at Borrowdale Race Course.
Horseracing analyst, Lucky Sibanda said the situation is unacceptable as it is threatening to derail the careers of the black jockeys who now have to be content with watching action from the sidelines.
"Something needs to be done to correct the situation. The black jockeys work with the horses but come race day, they are left out in favour of white South African jockeys," said Sibanda.
Another horseracing analyst, Talent Zirenga said the sidelining of the black jockeys is not good for the horseracing industry, but proposed that the jockeys be attached to South African stables to get exposure and recognition.
"It is really a depressing situation for the black jockeys who are becoming more like grooms than jockeys now. Maybe they should consider getting attached to South African yards for exposure," he said.
The case of alleged racism in the horseracing industry started on the trainers front a few years ago with the then only two race horse trainers at Borrowdale racecourse Oliver Tumbwa and Daniel Chimbamba consistently expressing concern over unfair treatment in comparison to their white counterparts.
They eventually pulled out of the business and currently, there is no black trainer left at Borrowdale Race Course.
The alleged racism has now spilled to the jockeys' front.
Zimbabwe has some talented black jockeys, among them Kevin Derere, Morgan Nyamagwete, Tatenda Guta, Nkululeko Sibanda, Tatenda Musekiwa, Michael Mangwendeza and Bernard Mwindiwa.
In what some observers have described as a clear case of racism, black jockeys at Borrowdale Race Course are being short changed as white race horse trainers are opting for white South African jockeys at their expense despite the high cost of flying the foreign jockeys to Zimbabwe.
The black jockeys have however chosen to remain mum and suffer silently for fear of victimisation.
Most of the jockeys are not being given rides during race meetings, meaning they miss out on the US$65 riding fee for each horse ridden during the race meeting outside other allowances.
The fact that only 3 black jockeys were given rides in a line-up of 15 jockeys in the recently held Grand Challenge and 2 riders made their way to the list of 16 riders in the Tankard, gives an indication of the scenario at Borrowdale Race Course.
Horseracing analyst, Lucky Sibanda said the situation is unacceptable as it is threatening to derail the careers of the black jockeys who now have to be content with watching action from the sidelines.
Another horseracing analyst, Talent Zirenga said the sidelining of the black jockeys is not good for the horseracing industry, but proposed that the jockeys be attached to South African stables to get exposure and recognition.
"It is really a depressing situation for the black jockeys who are becoming more like grooms than jockeys now. Maybe they should consider getting attached to South African yards for exposure," he said.
The case of alleged racism in the horseracing industry started on the trainers front a few years ago with the then only two race horse trainers at Borrowdale racecourse Oliver Tumbwa and Daniel Chimbamba consistently expressing concern over unfair treatment in comparison to their white counterparts.
They eventually pulled out of the business and currently, there is no black trainer left at Borrowdale Race Course.
The alleged racism has now spilled to the jockeys' front.
Zimbabwe has some talented black jockeys, among them Kevin Derere, Morgan Nyamagwete, Tatenda Guta, Nkululeko Sibanda, Tatenda Musekiwa, Michael Mangwendeza and Bernard Mwindiwa.
Source - Tankard
