Senegal's savannah jockey dreams of international glory

Fallou Diop, 19, a jockey, rides a young mare called Raissa Betty, whom he trains to compete with in the future, out of the Lambafar stable, in Niaga, Rufisque department, Senegal, January 27, 2021. "It's the elders who taught us everything since we were young, and that's how I became passionate about horses," Diop said. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

NIAGA, Senegal (Reuters) - A head shorter than his peers, Fallou Diop https://reut.rs/3rZQ7DU 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.