Photos: Senegal’s young jockey's race to glory
A head shorter than his peers, Fallou Diop quickly vanishes into the crowd of jockeys preparing for early morning drills in the western Senegalese village of Niaga. When the racing begins, however, his crouched silhouette is far ahead of the field, aided by an effortless riding style. Diop is one of Senegal's most promising jockeys, having won the country's top racing prize when he was just 17. He hopes to begin racing in France next year, realizing a dream coveted by some of Senegal's foremost riders.
1/13
Fallou Diop, 19, a jockey, rides his horse during a training session on a field in Sangalkam, Senegal on January 28. "When I start riding I get a bit stressed, but after a moment, it's over," Diop told Reuters. "At the time of the race, I'm only thinking of victory."(Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)
2/13
Fallou Diop strokes a young mare called Raissa Betty, whom he is currently training to race with in the future, as they walk along Lac Rose, also known as Lake Retba in Niaga, Rufisque region, Senegal, on January 27. "It's the elders who taught us everything since we were young, and that's how I became passionate about horses," Diop said.(Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)
3/13
Fallou Diop rides Raissa Betty, whom he trains with, out of the Lambafar stable, in Niaga on January 27. Diop is one of Senegal's most promising jockeys, having won the country's top racing prize when he was just 17. (Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)
4/13
Adama Bao, a coach who owns the Lambafar stable, speaks to Fallou Diop and other jockeys before a race at the Hippodrome Ndiaw Macodou DIOP in Thies, Senegal on January 31. "[Diop] is very gifted and has a lot of skill," Bao told Reuters. "He could compete up to 50 years with his weight and size."(Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)
5/13