Born on 7^th February 1985, the eldest son of Sathish and Radhika Narredu, etched a place in the history books of Indian racing by becoming the youngest Indian jockey to ride 1000 winners. The 1000^th win came when he rode his ‘favourite’ Becket, to victory in the Nizam’s Gold Cup at Hyderabad on Monday 16^th August 2010. Suraj, who joins his father Sathish and uncle Mallesh in the elite 1000 club, which in itself is a rare record, to have three from a family, also has the distinction of being the fastest to do so.

Suraj shared this momentous occasion with IR correspondent Mirror Image in an exclusive interview with Indiarace.

Indiarace: How much does this 1000 mean to you?

Suraj Narredu: It’s a nice landmark to achieve but my focus towards riding will not change much. I will look forward to more success in graded races.

IR: How did riding interest you?

SN: I used to accompany my dad to the race course in the mornings. I was fascinated by horses and started to dream of becoming a rider some day.

IR: When did you get serious about riding?

SN: I joined the Bangalore Amateur Riding Institute to take my lessons. I would go for riding on weekends and whenever my school had holidays. I was there for almost four years and even rode as a gentleman rider in Gymkhana races at Bangalore.

IR: How old were you when you took your license to ride?

SN: 17 years.

IR: Who was your Hero?

SN: Frankie Dettori. My dad had brought home a CD of Fankie Dettori’s seven wins out of seven rides. It was a fantastic feeling watching Frankie ride and that inspired me to achieve something.

IR: Do you remember your first win?

SN: Definitely. It was Predominate and I had a double that day with Anjaam. Predominate was disqualified later as the horse failed a post-race test. I, therefore, do not have Predominate in my 1,000 count.

There is a small anecdote behind my first win which I would like to share with you. It was almost three months since I had taken a riding license but had not opened my account, while my batch mates were already riding winners. On our way to Mysore by train, my batchmates played a prank on me by locking me up in the train toilet for a long time. That very day I rode a double and my friends wished they were in my shoes.

IR: Was your riding stints on foreign courses of any help?

SN: My first stint outside India was in Maccau, where I rode almost 30 races that season. I did not win any race but placed in many of them. It was a very good learning experience riding with foreign jockeys. I have ridden at Maccau, Dubai, Malaysia and Mauritius.

IR: Your wins at foreign courses?

SN: I have won at Malaysia and Mauritius. The two wins in Mauritius at the International Jockeys Championship were most memorable. Carrying the Indian Tri colour after the wins was a very touching moment.

IR: Which is the best horse you have ridden?

SN: Classical Act would move brilliantly on the track, like a machine but the best is undoubtedly Becket. 

IR: How do you rate your riding skills in comparison with the others who have achieved this feat?

SN: I may not be as good as most of them but I am happy my name is now along the greats. I have also not seen most of them ride but to be the youngest makes me proud.

IR: What is your next goal?

SN: I want to win more graded races and the Indian Derby, which is the dream of every Indian jockey, is definitely on my agenda. Apart from that I wish to ride more outside India. 

IR: Your advice to budding jockeys.

SN: Honesty, hard work and dedication will always stand by you.

IR: What has been your strength?

SN: God Almighty and my family. Both have stood by me in my good and bad times. My dad is the backbone of my success. He’s a great guide, mentor and above all a great father. I would also wish to thank my owners and trainers for reposing their faith in me and giving me the opportunities without which I could never have achieved this feat.