Smanga Khumalo rode the winner at the 2022 Hollywoodbets Durban July, SA's premier horseracing event, he was found guilty on Monday on all three charges relating to corruption, bribery and race-fixing following an inquiry into his conduct.
Image: Tumi Pakkies African News Agency(ANA)
The South African horse racing fraternity has been shaken by a series of corruption and race-fixing scandals involving some of the sport’s most prominent jockeys.
On Monday, champion jockey S’manga Khumalo was found guilty on all three charges relating to corruption, bribery and race-fixing following an inquiry into his conduct.
The inquiry, convened by an appointed Inquiry Board, found that Khumalo had committed serious breaches of the rules of the National Horseracing Authority (NHA), which governs the integrity of horse racing in South Africa.
The KwaMashu-born and two-time Durban July winning jockey faced three charges.
The first related to corrupt and dishonest practices involving the communication of non-public race information. The Board found that between October 2025 and February 2026, Khumalo improperly communicated confidential information regarding race tactics and horse performance to Noor Iqbal, who was allegedly unlawfully associated with betting activities.
The information was allegedly intended for wagering purposes, undermining the integrity of the sport. Khumalo pleaded guilty to the charge.
The second charge related to the receipt of payment linked to race activity. The inquiry found that Khumalo accepted approximately R128,000 in exchange for providing insider information referenced in the first charge and for agreeing to ride in a manner that could influence race outcomes for betting purposes. Khumalo also pleaded guilty to this charge.
The most serious allegation related to race-fixing. Khumalo was accused of intentionally failing to ride horses on their merits by allegedly restraining horses or failing to secure the best possible placings during races.
Although he pleaded not guilty to the charge, the Inquiry Board ultimately found him guilty.
“Arguments regarding penalties are underway, and the Inquiry Board has reserved judgment on sentencing, with proceedings set to resume on 29 May 2026,” read the inquiry report.
Khumalo remains under interim suspension pending the finalisation of the inquiry.
Jockey Luyolo Mxothwa on his horse Jockey Luyolo Mxothwa Luyolo Mxothwa, was handed a five-year suspension from race riding following a separate inquiry by the NHA on race-fixing related charges.
Image: Supplied
In a separate matter, another prominent South African jockey, Luyolo Mxothwa, was handed a five-year suspension from race riding following a separate inquiry by the NHA.
The inquiry, concluded on May 14, resulted in Mxothwa’s jockey licence being revoked, rendering him ineligible to hold any licence until March 23, 2031.
According to reports, three years of the suspension have been conditionally suspended, subject to Mxothwa complying with strict conditions aimed at protecting the integrity of horse racing and assisting with ongoing investigations into prohibited betting activities.
Among the conditions imposed are:
Mxothwa was also ordered to pay inquiry costs capped at R50,000, payable within 24 months should he return to licensed racing.
The suspension further stipulates that he must not be found guilty of any additional acts involving dishonesty or conduct prejudicial to racing during the operational period of the ban.
The NHA said the matter represented one of its most significant integrity sanctions in recent years and reflected its commitment to combating gambling-related corruption in horse racing.
According to NHA Legal Executive Michael Shackleton, the Inquiry Board’s findings against Khumalo marked a major development in the fight against corruption in the sport.
Shackleton said the charges against Khumalo stemmed from conduct between October 2025 and February 27, 2026, during which he allegedly engaged in practices detrimental to the integrity of racing.
He reiterated that Khumalo pleaded guilty to the first two charges involving the communication of confidential race information and the receipt of approximately R128,000 from Noor Iqbal.
On the third charge, Khumalo pleaded not guilty, but the Board found that he had intentionally failed to ride horses on their merits by allegedly restraining horses and deviating from riding instructions.
“Following deliberations on arguments presented during the penalty phase, the Inquiry Board has reserved judgment on sentencing. The matter has been adjourned and is set to resume on Friday,” Shackleton said.
He added that the outcome of the inquiry raises broader concerns around integrity and accountability within the racing industry.
“As fans and stakeholders await the Board’s decision on sentencing, the ramifications of Khumalo’s actions are already being felt throughout the racing community, potentially reshaping public perception of a sport long celebrated for its thrill and prestige,” Shackleton added.
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