Gauteng’s Heversham Park Stud have announced their sponshorship of 19-year-old apprentice Siyanda Sosibo, who joined the SA Jockey Academy in 2020, rode his first winner in 2021 and is presently on 24 career winners.

Quietly-spoken Siyanda, who completed his matric at the Academy in 2020, hails from a humble background. He grew up in poverty-stricken Umlazi, KZN, and described himself as “lucky to have a purpose and prospects with real hope”. He said: “I wake up every day and remember where I came from. It’s all the motivation anybody could ever hope for.”

Siyanda’s biggest supporter is his father, a career policeman based at the Marianhill SAPS. “My dad has been my mentor and inspiration. He is also my off-course riding master!” quipped the apprentice.

Now at the Gauteng Academy under the guidance of Robert Moore, Siyanda is improving his skills at every race meeting. “He started off slowly, but has developed into a nice and promising rider,” said Moore.

Siyande rode seven winners in his first full season, 2021/22, but is already on 17 winners for the 2022/3 season, with his strike rate up to 10%. He has ridden most of his winners for multiple champion trainer Sean Tarry, who said: “Siyanda has a good work ethic and he has ridden some excellent races for me, including two wins from two rides on Big Burn. He’s on the up, a promising rider.”

Heversham Park’s Kat Riley commented: “We are pleased to be helping Siyanda with a sponsorship, we have invested and continue to invest in the industry and this is a part of our commitment to developing individual potential.”

Siyande said: “I am truly grateful for this opportunity and I am looking forward to pleasing Heversham Park and my trainers by riding winners.”