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| Staff Writer |
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Yasser Al Ameri took a significant stride towards his dream of becoming a professional jockey on Wednesday morning, participating in official trial rides at Meydan Racecourse. The 22-year-old Emirati apprentice, one of the few UAE-born riders in the sport, showcased his talents aboard horses trained by Mohammed Al Shamsi at the world-renowned venue.
Alameri's journey to the saddle has been guided by esteemed Emirati trainer Majed Al Jahoori, reflecting the UAE's growing commitment to cultivating homegrown talent in a sport traditionally dominated by international competitors. His appearance at Meydan marks a pivotal moment, not only for his burgeoning career but also for the broader initiative to increase Emirati representation in horse racing.
The young rider's enthusiasm was palpable as he shared his aspirations: "Inshallah, I ride five winners this season and get a winner at Meydan. Riding here is a dream come true, and I hope my journey will inspire more young riders from the UAE to aspire to be jockeys."
Abdulaziz Al Noori, Racing Development Manager, expressed his support for Alameri's progress: "It was great to see Yaser out there today getting himself one step closer to becoming a race riding jockey in the UAE. Alameri is one of hopefully many UAE nationals that will be driven towards horse racing employment in all forms as part of the ERA's new direction of getting locals involved in racing."
While a definitive date for Alameri's racing debut remains unconfirmed, his participation in the trials represents a significant milestone on his path to becoming a fully-fledged jockey. The Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) is keen to nurture more local talent like Alameri, with the aim of diversifying the sport's workforce and creating new opportunities for Emiratis in the racing industry.
Meydan Racecourse, where Alameri took his latest step towards race riding, has been the centerpiece of UAE racing since its opening in 2010. The venue hosts the prestigious Dubai World Cup, one of the richest horse races globally with a purse of US$12 million. Previous winners of the Gr.1 Dubai World Cup include the likes of Thunder Snow, who claimed back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019, and Arrogate, who stormed to a sensational win in 2017 after a poor start.
As Alameri continues to hone his skills, he'll be hoping to follow in the footsteps of successful Emirati jockeys like Ahmed Ajtebi, who rode Gladiatorus to victory in the Gr.1 Dubai Duty Free (now known as the Dubai Turf) at Meydan in 2009. Ajtebi's triumph was a landmark moment for UAE racing, demonstrating the potential for local riders to compete at the highest level.
With the support of the ERA and experienced trainers like Al Jahoori, Alameri's journey from apprentice to professional jockey is being closely watched. His progress symbolises the growing ambition within UAE racing to cultivate a new generation of homegrown talent, capable of competing on the world stage and inspiring future Emirati riders to pursue careers in the sport.