Mauritian rider chases dream
WINGATUI’S newest apprentice, Zubair Bholah, is braving the elements in the hope of furthering his career.
The 28yearold touched down in Otago in February after a sixyear stint in New Caledonia.
Bholah started what he hopes is a prosperous riding career in New Zealand when he had his first ride at Timaru earlier this month.
The splatter of mud as horses ground through a heavy11 track showed the Mauritiusborn jockey his riding career really had gone to another realm.
That scene is a far sight from the warmth and sunshine of his native Mauritius, where Bholah learned his craft despite having no background in racing.
‘‘One day, I was a little boy, I went to the races with my uncle and I saw horses for the first time and I said to my uncle ‘I want to be a jockey some day’,’’ Bholah said.
‘‘My family did not accept that I wanted to become a jockey, because it is a dangerous job. They said go to school and get a good job . . . But I said ‘no, I like riding horses and want to become a jockey’.’’
Bholah got his grounding in horses through showjumping before going on to ride in track work for Mauritius trainers.
Like many Mauritiusborn jockeys riding around the world, Bholah had to leave his home land to get his chance at riding in races.
‘‘Racing in Mauritius is like rugby here, like the All Blacks; jockeys there are stars, even track riders. When you walk down the street everyone wants to talk to you.
‘‘I left Mauritius because there are too many jockeys there. I never got my chance to ride in a race there.
‘‘In 2012, a trainer came to Mauritius looking for jockeys . . . he saw me riding trackwork and asked me if I wanted to come to New Caledonia. But I didn’t even know where New Caledonia was.’’
Bholah built a good strike rate in the saddle, notching six wins and 39 placings in the much quieter surrounds of the New Caledonian racing industry.
He opted to trade its balmy temperatures for the cooler surrounds of Wingatui and has joined Steve Tyler’s stable.
‘‘I am coming here to progress and get more experience. I am thankful to my trainer and the Tyler family for me to be able to come here and work for them.’’
Bholah will not be heard complaining about the temperatures of Wingatui mornings, but he has noticed one major effect they have had.
‘‘Because it is cold, I do not sweat as much, so I have to be careful with what I eat and watch my weight.’’
The rider hopes to have his next race rides at Wingatui on Friday.