Fantastic day for him!

A few days old, but...

http://www.drcnewswire.com/?paged=2

Ajtebi out to make his country proud

Ahmed Ajtebi admits he’s living the dream this week.

The Emirati jockey has made incredible strides over the last year, which sees him with what he believes are six competitive rides on Dubai World Cup night.

“I only started race riding four years ago and now I have some fantastic rides on the biggest stage of all,” said Ajtebi.

“It was my ambition to have just one ride on Dubai World Cup night before Nad Al Sheba closes, but now I have six (five thoroughbred rides and one Purebred Arabian), and a chance of actually winning.

“I am so excited especially as I am only an apprentice – this has all happened so quickly. I’ve come such a long way, I can’t believe it.

“I started out riding mainly Arabian horses as second jockey for Ali Rashid Al Raihe, he gave me the chance and I am really grateful to him, but I was not getting that many rides.

“But things have really taken off this year ever since I got back from a summer in the UK, where of course, I was lucky enough to ride a Royal Ascot winner.

“I had a new job this year for Mubarak bin Shafya and it’s really taken off. I’ve had 16 winners this season and one more would make me so proud.”

Ajtebi rides Happy Boy in the US$6 million Dubai World Cup (Group 1) while his other runners are Soy Libriano in the US$2 million UAE Derby (Group 2), Eastern Anthem in the US$5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1), Gladiatorus in the US$5 million Dubai Duty Free (Group 1), Dijeerr in the Godolphin Mile (Group 2) - all from Bin Shafya's yard. In the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1), meanwhile, he will ride Amoking for Al Raihe.

“Gladiatorus is the best horse I’ve ridden but the Dubai Duty Free looks the toughest race,” he said, “I think Happy Boy does have a chance in the Dubai World Cup, he’s coming back to his best and is closely matched with Asiatic Boy and My Indy.

“There is no overwhelming favourite like Cigar, Dubai Millennium, Invasor or Curlin this year.”

In June last year, he created history when he rode Regal Parade for Dandy Nicholls to win the Buckingham Palace Stakes during Royal Ascot week.

The pageantry and fanfare of Royal Ascot must have seemed a long way from the dusty camel tracks, where Ajtebi first showed his prowess in the saddle between the ages of seven and 15. Although he insists, the two animals are kingdoms apart.

"The only similarity is four legs," said Ajtebi, who rode in the region of 200 winners in over 3000 camel races. "The saddles are different, you have no irons, you have one rein and a long camel stick, which you use to try and keep it straight.

“We raced over all trips between five furlongs and six-and-a-half miles, but the maximum weight for camel riders is 25kg, so when I got too heavy I decided to have look at thoroughbreds.”

His ability on camels caught the eye of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who took him to one side after watching him ride as a teenager.

“He pushed me,” Ajtebi said. “He said that the UAE had horses in training everywhere in the world, but Dubai had no jockey. I told him that I had never ridden a horse in my life, but I would try.”

“Personally I see myself as an ambassador for the UAE and I think it’s important that I project the right image, as I am representing my country when I compete.

“My biggest dream is to make my country proud of what I can achieve. I want to show the world that the UAE can produce good jockeys. My goal is to support my country and raise the UAE flag at every opportunity I get.”

It would be hoisted high and proud over the country if the Emirati can land one of the sport’s most prestigious prizes on Saturday.

JOCKEY "A AJTEBI".




"I am already over the moon. It is a dream come true".

! He just sit over Two Moons ! :tro: :$: