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| Sumita Pawar |
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Next week, Jimmy Jerkens, the New Yorker, will embark on his first training stint in Saudi Arabia, taking the reins for the esteemed HRH Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz, the leading owner of 2022. Under the banner of the 'Red Stable', Jerkens will be entrusted with the training of some of the finest horses in the jurisdiction.
Jerkens boasts of a remarkable track record with two triumphant Breeders' Cup moments under his belt - the 2005 Breeders' Cup Mile victory with Artie Schiller and the 2007 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile win with Corinthian. Not just that, he also steered the 2009 Florida Derby champ Quality Road, who interestingly sired the 2022 Saudi Cup winner Emblem Road, and the multiple Grade 1 winner Shaman Ghost.
Jerkens' Leap Of Faith Into New Training Territory
Jerkens had been in a dry spell when an unexpected opportunity arose.
Ron Anderson, Joel Rosario's agent, reached out to him about a potential training position with the Red Stable.
Although initially hesitant, Jerkens realized the opportunity was too good to pass up. Operating in New York had become too costly without the necessary volume and quality of horses. Waiting for success was no longer an option, and he needed to be realistic about his financial situation. However, he didn't want to give up training altogether. The chance to work with better horses and focus solely on training was a welcomed change.
Jerkens Takes On Ta'if Racing
Jerkens is embarking on a new adventure as the Ta’if racing season kicked off last Thursday and will continue until October. He is eagerly anticipating taking charge of his first runners, which could happen as early as next week.
Despite the challenges that come with a new environment, Jerkens has found everyone to be supportive. He will be responsible for the horses provided to him starting on the Sunday after the first three days of racing at Ta’if.
Jerkens is receiving horses from two trainers and will be moving to an isolated location on the other side of the racecourse. Unlike other outfits that are grouped together further away around the track.
The race classifications are different from what Jerkens is familiar with, so he has plenty to learn. Once he knows the horses and their aims, he will know how to approach training them.
The horses look terrific, and they receive excellent care, which has left a lasting impression on Jerkens. He is pleased with how everyone operates over there and the respect they have for the horses.
Although it is a big jump, Jerkens has a lot of support and good help, which will make the transition smoother.
As soon as the Ta'if season comes to a close, the premier track in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will kick off its own season, featuring the highly-anticipated two-day Saudi Cup event, renowned as the most valuable race meeting in the world.