Jadhav elated to be top trainer at Jebel Ali

dubai — The season at the historic Jebel Ali Racecourse came to a close with the 11th and final meeting and saddler Sandeep Jadhav topped the trainers’ championship at the race track.

The Dubai-based Indian trainer had 11 winners in 68 runs at the Jebel Ali Racecourse, known as the ‘Family Racecourse.’

And Jadhav, who is the assistant trainer to Salem bin Ghadayer but did his first full season as a trainer, was elated with the achievement.

“I’m really very happy as a first-time trainer to win the championship at Jebel Ali,” Jadhav exclusively told Khaleej Times on Saturday.

“I don’t have words to say. It was definitely a fantastic season for me. I also had one listed winner and two winners at the Dubai World Cup carnival. I’ve enjoyed my stint as a trainer and I continue to relish my job as an assistant trainer. I hope to get a chance in the future,” he added.

Jadhav, who also had four second places and six second places, was thrust into the spotlight in Salem bin Ghadayer’s absence and did a fine job at the Fazza Racing Stable. Jadhav admitted that there was a bit of pressure initially but it all fell in place after a few races. “Honestly, at the start of the season, there was a bit of pressure. But I know the job because I had 20 years of experience in horse racing. And that gave me a lot of confidence,” said Jadhav, whose father Ashok was a jockey back in India.

Jadhav arrived in the UAE in 1998 and has done the hard yards and risen up the ranks.

Meanwhile, Royston Ffrench won the jockeys’ championship with eight wins from 66 runs, while Mohd Khalifa Al Basti was the top owner with nine victories.