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| Staff Writer |
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Trading the familiar bustle of New York for the sands of Saudi Arabia, veteran trainer Jimmy Jerkens embraced a dramatic career shift two months ago. But navigating this uncharted territory has proven steeper than anticipated. From deciphering a new racing culture to dealing with the language barrier, everything, from racetrack protocols to daily life, has presented its own unique challenge. Undaunted, Jerkens remains resolute, confident he’ll conquer this unfamiliar terrain, even if it requires a longer journey than he initially envisioned. Buckle upas we delve into Jerkens’ Saudi Arabian odyssey.
Jerkens’ experience in the Saudi Arabian horse racing scene has been a mixture of triumph and challenge. “We started a little slow at the Taif when the meeting started. During the hot months, racing goes to Taif, up in the mountains where it’s cooler.”
However, despite the slow start, his team managed to secure victories towards the end of the meeting at Taif and continued their winning streak back in Riyadh.
Jerkens is very excited about one particular horse, Thaleem, and 3YO Zoffany. Despite facing shin problems, Jerkens believes that Saleem has the potential to become a standout horse in the next season. He said, “I started training him when I first got here, and he hasn’t taken a step wrong. He has however stubbed his toe along the way developing sore shins which is common in young horses, like Thaleem.”
Jerkens savored a triumphant ride, as Grocer Jack, guided by Nawaf Almudiani, surged to a decisive victory in the Prince Khaled Abdullah Cup. This commanding win not only bolsters Jerkens’ Saudi Arabian accolades but also secures Grocer Jack’s coveted spot in the Gr.2 Neom Turf Cup on Saudi Cup Day. This triumph marks a pivotal moment for both Jerkens and Grocer Jack.
Jerkens enhances his reputation as a world-class trainer, while Grocer Jack gains invaluable confidence and solidifies his standing as a serious contender in the world class racing.
Initially Jerkens’ primary obstacle in competing in Saudi was the larger fields.
“Here, a 20-horse field is almost twice that of back home in America. So, a lot of things have to go right to win here.”
“Here, there is nothing like the Daily Racing Form in the United States where you can easily assess your competition. Here, it’s really kind of like a guessing game... you almost have to go by memory.
“The way the jockeys, for instance, their position sitting up on the horses looks very similar to American style riders,” said Jerkens pointing to the similarities between the Saudi and US racing styles.
“Predominantly, it’s speed-oriented racing in Saudi Arabia, most likely because longer distances are run around one turn, even 1800-meter races and longer, which is unusual,” he added.
The seasoned conditioner was impressed by the quality of the horses and the feeding programs in Saudi Arabia, which contributed to his success. However, he admits that adjusting to the early training hours took time due to the heat in Riyadh and the demanding racing schedule.
With the bigger races approaching, Jerkens Jerkens remains optimistic. He acknowledged the challenges sport presents but emphasised the need to work hard and keep pushing forward.
Adjusting to life in Saudi Arabia hasn’t been easy. One of the primary challenges he faces is the language barrier.
“The language barrier is tough,” he says.
“I’m lucky in my job and my key people speak both languages with the riders.”
Despite knowing a few key phrases, detailed conversations prove to be difficult. However, Jerkens acknowledges the invaluable help he has received from his key team members who have made his transition smoother.
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Jerkens recalls how a chance encounter with jockey Joel Rosario changed everything. Rosario’s agent contacted Jerkens about an opportunity to train for Prince Faisal’s Red Stable. Although initially skeptical, Jerkens was intrigued by the idea and agreed to visit Saudi Arabia with his wife.
During his visit, Jerkens was impressed by the condition of the horses and the overall setup. He found the stock to be promising, which sparked his interest in accepting the offer. Reflecting on his decision, Jerkens admits that the lacklustre racing scene in New York, coupled with the expensive operation costs, played a role in pushing him towards a new adventure.
“It’s a losing proposition if you don’t have horses running and winning every week,” he confesses. As Jerkens continues to acclimate to his new life in Saudi Arabia, he acknowledges the immense challenges he faces. However, his enthusiasm for the job and passion for horse racing remain unwavering.
“It’s a hard job seven days a week, and a lot of stress,” Jerkens says, “But sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith and see what happens.”
Jerkens attributed the rapid decline in the number of runners per season in the US directly to the lack of horses. Some of his loyal owners had either retired from the business or had grown older, causing them to reduce their involvement in horse racing. The departure of Frank Stronach, a prominent owner who provided Jerkens with numerous successful horses, was a major blow to the trainer’s stable. Stronach had been forced to give up his horse holdings in order to pursue a political career in Austria.
Jerkens expressed his satisfaction with the abundance of talented and competitive horses in Saudi Arabia. He explained that although there were some disappointments, there were also significant achievements, such as My Frankel’s victory in the 2023 Crown Prince Cup which brought great joy to Jerkens and his team.
Reflecting on his decision to move to Saudi Arabia, Jerkens emphasised that it was a deliberate choice motivated by the lack of reward in his home country. With the demands of the industry growing, a social media presence and networking have become increasingly important. However, Jerkens made it clear that his passion lies in training horses to the best of his abilities, focusing on what he loves and excels at.
The discussion turned to the contrasting training methods in the United States and Saudi Arabia. Jerkens noted that in the US, the trainers use more timed and measured workouts vs more frequently running the horse in an actual race. In other words, there is more time between races in the U.S. as a whole. Especially the better-quality horses. “I’ve seen quite a few horses, and good horses lose what they had because they’re just running too much,” said Jerkens. Part of the issue is the way the racing program is written. There are too many of the same category and distance written too close together and clusters. This can lead to the attitude of ‘get it while you can’ resulting in running horses more often than is optimal.
“Jerkens emphasises the need for close monitoring of horses during training and racing and believes that incorporating a more organized and regulated approach, similar to what is used in the US, would benefit the Saudi Arabian horse racing industry.
Jerkens expressed his intention to give young horses with potential the necessary time to mature and thrive before entering them into competitive races.
Jerkens believes there is increasing discontent among American trainers. “A lot of people were in my position, they did very well. And it’s hard now... getting a good horse in your barn just gets slimmer and slimmer.”
He predicts a rise in demand for American trainers in Saudi Arabia as more stables are being built and racing continues to grow in popularity.
However, Jerkens suggests that aspiring trainers considering the move should prepare well. “It’s something you really can’t prepare for until you get here. But the thing to do is make sure everything is clear to you before you make the final decision to come.” he said.
Contrary to expectations, Jerkens believes there is not necessarily more pressure in Saudi Arabia compared to the US. “My owners are great. Prince Saad and Saud have been very supportive. When horses you expect to run do not perform well, morale gets hit. Back home where you are dependent on one or two horses. If anything happens to them you don’t have much of a recourse. But here, with many more horses in the barn, if one was a disappointment, I have another one next week. There is always something to look forward to finding out about possible winners. That’s what I like about it.” said Jerkens.
Having a larger number of horses in his barn allows him to maintain morale, as there is a constant opportunity for success, unlike being dependent on one or two horses back home.
Jerkens sums up his move to Saudi Arabia as ‘overall gratifying.’ Despite initial uncertainties, he expresses his satisfaction with the decision and commends the expanding racing scene in Saudi Arabia. While he currently has a two year contract, Jerkens emphasised the importance of continued success and production. He stated, “We did good this year. And we need to finish up good, it has to continue because there’s a lot at stake, a lot of horses’ purchases, a lot of pride.”
By Ramzy Kalam