James Lihaba

The official racecard has his name down as Kobeli Lihaba but he is better known as James in the racing fraternity. Only recently having sing his papers, apprentice Kobeli ‘James’ Lihaba has caught the eye of many trainers with his balance and strength with one of his main supporters being Duncan Howells. “He is balanced and listens to instructions. I see other trainers have also noticed, mostly the ex-jocks,” he said. James, who cut his teeth in bush racing in the Eastern Cape, is full value for his 4kg claim and had three winners and three seconds from his 27 rides last month.

James is Gold Circle’s Jockey of the Month for September