Smanga Khumalo rode the winner at the 2022 Hollywoodbets Durban July. 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 / Independent Media
South Africa’s horse racing industry has been shaken by a series of integrity-related findings after leading jockey S’manga Khumalo was found guilty on multiple charges arising from a National Horseracing Authority (NHA) inquiry into alleged corruption and race manipulation.
On Monday, an appointed Inquiry Board ruled that Khumalo had committed serious breaches of the rules governing racing integrity, including offences linked to corruption, bribery and conduct inconsistent with fair competition, the Daily News reported.
The case forms part of a broader set of investigations into betting-related misconduct in the sport.
Khumalo, a KwaMashu-born jockey and two-time Durban July winner, faced three charges relating to alleged conduct between October 2025 and February 2026.
The first charge concerned the communication of confidential, non-public race information. The Inquiry Board found that Khumalo improperly shared details relating to race tactics and horse performance with Noor Iqbal, who was alleged to have been linked to betting activity.
The information was said to have been intended for wagering purposes and capable of undermining the integrity of racing. Khumalo pleaded guilty to this charge.
The second charge related to the receipt of money in exchange for information and alleged influence over race outcomes. The Board found that Khumalo accepted approximately R128,000 in relation to providing insider information and agreeing to conduct that could potentially affect betting markets. He also pleaded guilty to this charge.
The third and most serious charge related to alleged race-fixing. Khumalo was accused of failing to ride horses on their merits, including allegations that he restrained mounts or did not take all reasonable steps to secure the best possible finishing positions. While Khumalo pleaded not guilty to this charge, the Inquiry Board ultimately found him guilty following its assessment of the evidence.
According to the inquiry report, submissions on sanctioning are currently underway, with the Board reserving judgment on penalty. Proceedings are set to resume on 29 May 2026.
Jockey Luyolo Mxothwaolo 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 development, fellow South African jockey Luyolo Mxothwa has been handed a five-year suspension from race riding following a separate NHA disciplinary inquiry concluded on 14 May.
Mxothwa’s licence has been revoked, although three years of the suspension have been conditionally suspended, subject to strict compliance requirements designed to safeguard racing integrity and assist ongoing investigations into alleged prohibited betting activity.
Among the conditions imposed are requirements that he disclose full details of any knowledge of unlawful activity in horse racing, including interactions with bookmakers, punters, or individuals allegedly involved in illegal betting. Noor Iqbal and Zahir Ali were specifically referenced in the sanction conditions.
He must also submit a sworn affidavit confirming if he has no further information to disclose, issue a formal NHA-approved public apology within 30 days acknowledging his conduct and cautioning other jockeys about integrity obligations, and participate in educational outreach initiatives aimed at reinforcing ethical conduct in the sport.
Mxothwa was additionally 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 further dishonest conduct or behaviour prejudicial to racing during the operational period of the sanction.
The NHA said the sanctions reflect one of its most significant integrity enforcement actions in recent years and underline its commitment to addressing gambling-related corruption within horse racing.
NHA Legal Executive Michael Shackleton said the findings against Khumalo marked an important development in ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of the sport. He noted that the conduct under scrutiny took place between October 2025 and February 27, 2026.
Shackleton confirmed that Khumalo had 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, Shackleton said Khumalo had denied wrongdoing, but the Inquiry Board found that he had intentionally failed to ride horses on their merits, including by allegedly restraining mounts and deviating from riding instructions.
He added that arguments on sanctioning had been heard, with the Board reserving its decision on penalty. The matter has been adjourned and will resume later this month.
Shackleton further said the outcome highlights broader concerns around integrity, accountability and confidence in the racing industry.
He added that while the sport awaits the final penalty decision, the implications of the findings are already being felt across the racing community.
Khumalo remains under interim suspension pending the finalisation of the disciplinary process.