Hacking The Dream Of Becoming An International Equestrian Jockey From Sabana In Senegal

Illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Mnimmz)

JAKARTA - His smaller figure with a shorter head than his peers made Fallau Diop quickly disappear behind a crowd of other jockeys who were preparing to practice horse riding in Niaga Village, Senegal.

However, when the race started, he quickly sped away leaving the other jockeys. His distinctive riding style with his body leaning forward, made him go even further.

"When I started riding the horse, there was a little bit of nervousness. But after a while, it was all over. At the time of the race, I only thought about winning," said Diop as reported by Reuters.

Diop is one of Senegal's most promising jockeys, winning the country's top racing prize when he was just 17 years old. He hopes to start racing in France next year, realizing the dreams coveted by some of Senegal's top riders.

Horses are an indispensable part of life in Senegal. Horse-drawn chariots are everywhere throughout the country. And over the last 50 years, competitive racing has developed into a national pastime.

“It is a passion in my family. Since my grandfather's time, our family loved to ride. Then my father followed him too," recalled Diop.

In villages like Niaga, where Diop lives, feed and horse supply shops line the main road, and the fields are filled with people on horseback.

Decorated with colorful ceramic tiles on a busy back street, Diop's home and his 12 family members received a new roof thanks to the money he won.

Depending on the number of horses in the race, Diop can earn up to USD 600 per win. In comparison, the average monthly wage in Senegal is estimated to be around USD 180 at the end of 2019.

Illustration. (@tgs0376/Unsplash)

Diop's success is a matter of pride to his father, who spent most of his life riding horses and buggies around Niaga. His older brother, who also hopes to become a jockey before a growth spurt gets in his way, boasted of Diop's accomplishments to visitors.

"The elders taught us everything since we were young, and that's how I got excited about horses," said Diop.

Diop, who dropped out of formal school, was 12 years old when he left a sewing apprenticeship to pursue racing. According to his father, he was so determined that he walked 10 miles to enroll in a nearby training program.

Today, Diop and other jockeys in Niaga are taught by Adama Bao, whose family has maintained a stud farm near Lac Rose beach, Senegal for three generations.

“[Diop] is very talented. He can compete for up to 50 years with his weight and size, "said Bao.

Bao plans to send Diop to France for three months in early 2022 to race for French-Senegalese breeders. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed plans. His departure last year had to be canceled.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, Diop's skills were put to the test at the racetrack in Thiès, Senegal's third-largest city.

Dressed in bright yellow and blue clothes, Diop calmly got on his horse and led it to the track. Impressively he was able to finish first in three of the five races that followed on the day. He also has the right to bring home nearly 1000 US dollars.

“I want to be the best jockey in a country other than my own. In Morocco or France, wherever there is horse racing," he prayed and wished.