Former South African champion Mark Khan made a welcome, winning return to the saddle when booting home Effortless (Antonius Pius) to victory at Turffontein on Thursday.

Khan, who had been Champion Jockey five times prior to retiring from riding in 2010, was having just his second mount in seven years when steering the Gary Alexander trained Effortless to break her maiden over 1400m.

The jockey, who was also champion rider in Mauritius, is the latest rider to make a winning comeback, with the Cape based pair of Piet Botha and Jannie Bekker others to have made successful recent returns to race-riding.

He is book for 4 rides at Turffontein this Saturday, where his mounts include Casino (Race 3), Zeal And Zest (Race 5), Duke Nukem (Race 6) and Edisson (Race 9).

Khan’s notable Gr1 wins prior to his retirement included the 1997 Cape Fillies Guineas,1998 Cape Derby, 1995 Paddock Stakes, 2002 SA Derby, 2006 SA Derby, 2007 Horse Chestnut Stakes, and the 2004 J&B Met.

He also enjoyed a close association with ill-fated champion stayer Aquanaut (Foveros), for whose trainer Mark Watters, Khan won the Cape Derby on another ill-fated son of Foveros, Corning Touch.

Mark also enjoyed plenty of success with the Geoff Woodruff yard, for whom he was stable jockey.

However a number of falls took its toll on the popular rider, who announced his retirement from riding in April seven years ago. He has since been working as a racing manager.