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11 April, 2026 – Summerveld-based trainer Siboniso ‘Bo’ Ngcobo etched his name into South African racing history recently, saddling his first feature winner as Better Never Ends captured the R500,000 TAB SA Nursery (Grade 2) at Turffontein.
One of the country’s oldest juvenile races, first run in 1887, the SA Nursery has long served as a launching pad for future champions — and this year it also announced the arrival of an exciting young trainer.
Ngcobo, who took out his licence on 1 July 2022, began his training career with just one horse at Summerveld. He recorded his first winner within weeks and has steadily built a growing stable through determination and belief. That journey has now reached a significant milestone with his first Grade 2 triumph.
Ridden with confidence by Muzi Yeni, Better Never Ends — a son of Declarationofpeace — produced a powerful late surge down the outside to win impressively at odds of 40/1. The performance underlined both the colt’s potential and the faith shown by his connections.
The victory carried added significance as a landmark moment for transformation in South African racing, with an all-black-African team behind the success: trainer Ngcobo, jockey Yeni, owner the Dladla Family Trust (represented by Johannes Manoko), and groom Oscar Gwampa.
For Ngcobo, a former firefighter and mechanical engineer, the result marks a remarkable rise in a short space of time.
“This is a special moment,” said Ngcobo. “It shows what’s possible with dedication, support and belief. I always knew this horse had speed, but he needed to put it all together — and today he did.”
Yeni echoed the sentiment, praising the trainer’s ambition:
“I thought it was a bold move to come for this race, but full credit to Bo — his belief paid off. I’m grateful to him and Mr Manoko for the opportunity. Smaller yards are transforming the game. This result is great for racing.
Manoko, celebrating just the second win for the Dladla Family Trust, described the victory as a defining moment:
“We did our homework and believed we had a chance. He had been struggling with concentration, so we fitted blinkers — and it made all the difference. This is my first trophy in racing, and a very proud moment for us.”
Ngcobo’s stable, which has grown to nine horses, continues to gather momentum. He enjoys support from his sponsor Hollywoodbets and the Dladla Family Trust and is looking to take on more horses from willing owners.
Better Never Ends has now firmly established himself as a horse to follow, delivering a performance that suggests even greater achievements lie ahead.
More broadly, the victory reflects the evolving landscape of South African racing, where opportunity, investment and emerging talent are combining to shape a more inclusive and dynamic future for the sport.
As the name Better Never Ends suggests, for Ngcobo and his team, this may be just the beginning.