One jockey with whom I kept a fine strike rate is Lloyd Marshal, He partnered a Horse called Nicad( owned by MR.Gogineni) and was on board all outings, it is a fine partnership

Trainers like jockies who follow their instructions dutifully. The connections like a jockey, who keeps his mouth shut. That is how irrespective of his abilities,  a jockey becomes favorite of a particular stable. 

Jockies too come with their peculiar traits. Robin Corner hardly ever went for an inside position. He had such a low opinion on the ability of some jockies to control their horses that,  he preferred an outside position. 

On the other hand Warren Singh readily took a rail position whenever he was on job. When he was on a Montrose,  he would readily lose the horse somewhere in the midfield. 

AslamKader was a dare devil jockey who was not afraid to take smallest of gaps. 

In the Mysore Course,  in the nineties a Rangarajan horse Another Shrike (Satish Narredu up)  was even money favourite. This was a class one race and probably during early nineties. The horse won by 9 lengths and that led to all-round happiness among punters as everyone and his brother had bet on it. But there was one unhappy man Z. Darashah, the trainer of the horse shouting in a voice that could be heard by all.A crestfallen Satish Narredu was standing in front of him. It transpired that Darashah did not like the winning margin,  one bit. He was sure that Satish in his eagerness had spoiled winning chances of the horse in future races. Time proved him right,  as the horse was a pure handicapper and did not win again. 

Darashah s favourite jockey Warren understood this very well and always hid his mounts to win by barest of margins to hoodwink the handicapper. Even this Darashah --Warren Singh combination came to an end when Warren became ambitious. 

Krish,

Yes indeed Sea Shells endeared itself to the racegoers with its blinding speed.

Hi Sonnie was from an earlier crop than Hi Pretty. If I remember correctly, it was owned by  the Chellaram brothers Murli and Pishu. Hi Pretty came later.

Shinde did win a classic while with Aziz Mahmoud. He won the 2000 on Sun Prince.

Glasgow price u r absolutely correct. Balancing seat is gift to any jockey. I used to c replays mainley coz horses shown from rear, I cud see jockey compact seating on the horse. All other capability written by you is valuable. 

I would also like to know from members about Tribute, Birthday girl and one more horse which was talking point that time. Even Hindu weekly reveiw elaborated  that race which was won by Birthday Girl, surprise and shocking to the connections 

@GLASGOW PRINCE,

Not Hi Sonnie, It should be Hi Pretty. I played that day and won at 6-1 odds. I used to play Vasant Shinde's mount blindly. My most favorite horse used to be Suresh Mahindra owned SEA SHELLS. She used to run distant clear of the field right from the start go.

This is my take on what makes for a top jockey. The skill of the top riders is manifested in different ways such as:

- the rider's well balanced seat itself makes the horse comfortable and a willing runner

- the ability of the rider to foresee how a race will unfold and ride his own mount accordingly (unless specific instructions have been given by the trainer)

- the ability of the rider to judge the pace of the race and position his mount optimally as also to make his move at the right time

- the ability of the rider to react quickly to any unexpected happenings that may unfold during the race and change his tactics as necessary

- the ability of the rider to quickly get the horse going again in case he meets with any interference

- the ability of the rider to control and steer a horse if he starts hanging

- the ability of the rider to ride effectively despite high weight carried by the horse

- the ability of the rider to extract relatively more effort from the horse - even their pushing is far more vigorous and powerful

- the ability to articulate a nuanced and actionable feedback 

Indian turf record

Yes it is pesi shroff only it's a mobile typing mistake only 

Jockey contribution in racing is just 10 percent.but that 10 percent makes the difference in the outcome of the race.glorifying one and demeaning other jockeys is not the criteria.jockeys as such are vulnerable to criticism anyway,no jockey has gained the confidence of punters for a longtime such is the nature of the sport.punters having lack of knowledge of the sport tend to blame the jockeys for their follies.the sport is bigger than the jockey

When I entered racing in late eighties,  V. Shinde was already on the decline.At that time he was riding VM horses trained by R. Byramji. 

In 1989, MAM had two best horses in training --Malvado filly Ministrella and Riyahi colt Oxford Blue. Both finished 1-2 in Bangalore Summer Derby and thereafter won many classics in Southern Circuit. 

MAM skipped Bangalore Winter Derby and took both horses to Mumbai for Indian Derby. Trainer A B David played such an trick that both horses lost condition and finished nowhere in the Indian Derby. The very day MAM severed all relation with David,  who became an also ran. 

I came to the race course on the Bangalore St Leger held during the Summer of 1990.Oxford Blue (Bhagavat up)  --always a looker, was in rag rag condition and tears came to my eyes. V. Shinde was riding the favourite, Ilheus filly Classic Story, Bookmakers too were giving liberal odds on Oxford Blue (place 3/1 --only two places). 

At the top of the stright Classic Story on the rails was challenged by Oxford Blue and they remained locked together upto the winning post, with the  former winning by a whisker. At that moment I understood the greatness of Shinde. He was sitting ramrod straight, had no scope to use the whip and kept his horse like an arrow. Any slight sideways movement from his side would have surely resulted in an objection, but there was none. Indeed great! 

Classic Story, thereafter went on to win Indian St. Leger too. 

JP,

You just echoed my thoghts as far as Vasant Shinde was concerned. He was a more dare devil and flamboyant rider when he rode for Aziz Mahmoud. Some of his rides on Time Queen, Shandaar, Sun Prince, Hi Sonnie, Sweet Paddy, etc. are unforgettable. After shifting to Rashid Byramji he became more of a copy book rider. It could perhaps have been the effect of the trainer's preferences. With RRB he also gave some forgettable rides.

@ B.V.S.PRASAD

       I think you mean "Shroff" (not "Sheriff") in your posting. Shroff was not suspended but he had a fight with trainer Bezan Chenoy and so was not riding for him. Shroff rode two winners that day and was jockey of Honorius in Chaitanya Chakram's Derby. 

Thanks Sharmaji

I will give one clarification regarding CAPRICRN horse, when I went to mum to play CHAITANYA CHAKRAM in mum derby I played @ 6.5 and CAPRICORN was available at odds on upto 90paise  we 4 members gone to play CHAITANYA CHAKRAM in mum derby & played also CHAITANYA CHAKRAM never lost upto mum derby as a start to finish jcky Lloyd marshal always ridden start to finish only we went to see the position of paddock after race it's called photo at that time stand in a que in book maker ring bookie asked what you played I said c.c they laughed & told jaa jaa Capricorn jeeta so we left to paddock to watch the position trainer cheneoy was scolding to Shinde if sheriff ridden this horse it would have won at that time sheriff is suspended so Shinde ridden this horse, Shinde speaks in Hindi only he said Maine fully ride Karne se atleast nk tak reach his air koi be ride Karne se uska tail tak be reach nhi hote again he challenged the trainer cheneoy that lets see in invitation apka Capricorn or Kisi rider ki choose karlo mai apka horse koo beat Karke show karta these words we kept in our mind & we went to invitation to bng to watch the invitation in curiouslyy odds are Chaitanya CHAKRAM available at 11/10, capricorn is at 3/1 to 3.5 so we watched Shinde is on premium spirit which is available at 7/1 &  place at 11/10 so we played c.c win & p.s place & gone to upstairs to watch the race Capricorn was ridden by robin corner on that day race started as usual Chaitanya CHAKRAM hits front Capricorn was kept in 3rd position premium spirit kept at last until straight the orders in same position & we lost hope on p.s for place but in last 200 mts Shinde brought p.s in a tremendous style flying finished 2nd & 3lengjths above capricorn and on that day we can't express in words our happiness. That is shinde's riding if any one have NELSTON run in mum derby video they can watch his calibre.

I am not criticising anybody about jckys riding capabilities or skill I have watched closely each & every jckys efficiency. Of umrigar was not died he is the best ever jockey I have seen these are all my opinion & experience only 

I think Vasant Shinde was at his best as rider when he was with trainer Aziz Mahamood. Maybe he didn't win any classics with him.As far as I remember it was this combination showed that you can win with the same horse on consequentive days. A horse used to be enterd on Saturday and Sunday. The horse used to run as odds on on Saturday and available at 6/1 on Sunday since it has to carry 6 to 7 kgs additional weight. It was MAM  who spotted and offered classics and his first classic win was Half A Crown. VS got a new fiat car for this which was VS first car which was still lying in VS Bangalore house tiil last year.

Regarding the best my choice would be P.Shankar, Vasant Shinde, Aslam,B.Prakash,Khade. Among foreign jockeys it will be Swinburne, C.Roche, Barclay J.Smith. Many will be wondering why P.Sankar. I saw him only as a trainer. But a person who was first to complete 1000 wins when travelling was so difficult and with top owners had only foreign riders. No of race days were also less. It is an outstanding achievement which never can be equated to others. Regarding B.Prakash his wins including classics are apart from his wins in Chennai which are not included.

@ Aravind and BVS Prasad : Thanks to both of you for your comments and compliments. I mantioned some names of jockeys of past and present days whome I liked most or whose riding impressed me most and  I wish to clarify with all respects that does not mean I have disrespect for others whose names I did not mention.  It is a big list if I continue to mention them but I mentioned very few names only. I have all respect for other big and ace jockeys  who won many  races including many classics races too and as far as trainer R R Byramji is concerned he is all time great and legend trainer of our Indian racing  - having won more than 3100 races including 230 classic races. His records and achievements are cut above and simply best. Similarly V Shinde and B Prakash ( 2446 wins ) won many races including number of classics for their  respective trainers  and owners but most of their victories were arm chair rides and very few won hard fought , this is my personal view and assessment and I may be wrong also. B Prakash won many races in south India at Chennai and Ooty . R R Byramji having best bloodline horses and India’s top owners were in his stable but apart from V Shinde  jockeys like Aslam Kader, P Shroff and Jagdish also engaged for his stable to ride from time to time and they won many races hard fought and in exciting finishes and at good odds. I didn’t like V Shinde’s riding on  some horses like Caminetto, Capricorn and on Biscuit and this is also my personal view but his riding seat and techniques were example to many newcomers and I cannot take credit from him for being role model for them. 

I have no disrespect for above mentioned jockeys of past whome I have not included in my favourites and similar is the case of P Trevor and Srinath in present lot of jockeys whome I have not included in my favourites.  May be my angle of analysis and observation was little different but  no disrespect towards anyone. The choices were purely my personal one and everyone have right to differ with me. Thanks.

Agreed  with  your  analysis. I was taken to this Industry   by  a friend when I was  in a college  and  on  the very   first  day without knowing   any insight I was successful   taken a consolation  jp  of 3034 for rs 30  investment. That was 22  years ago.

As the racing moved to  next generation things changed   dramatically. When cricket   played by 11  players is  fixed in favour  of bookies by  3  to 4 dishonest players why cant a horse race fixed which is dependent  on only 2 jockey  and trainer 

Over the  years I saw  a big  change money pouring into  ring like  water

Horses with out standing and pleasing track not figuring  on board

jockey a giving full efforts in straight when it is  clear  that race is beyond their reach

there were many  photo finishes earliet between Satish , MALLESH,Pesi,Aslam,Appu to  name a few.jockeys were trying  their best and nail bite finishes .now that action   is  missing 

I  may  be  wrong   but what I feel  is a jockey will  bring horse to  frame  only   when he is allowed   to  do so by owners  trainers and  ofcourse  bookies  To be successful  punter these days we should  understand  gambling   parr and no  amount   of  study about  handicaps track work .form is relevant. This is  for  almost 90 percent   of races  run

Excellant sharmaji, super difination for a good jockey. One small adding to be a good jockey shd be very   Loyal to Owners/Trainers who gave the winning mount.

The one & only VASANT SJINDE he is the best rider in INDIA so many foreign riders applauded his riding skills including kinane, fortune & Lester piggot. The best trainer RR Byramji & Shinde combination won many races and won many classics in all centers of INDIA, I am puzzled Mr Sharma sir didn't mentioned his name in his lengthy post.

This is a complicated subject. The character of the horse is counted while selecting a jockey,if not result is miserable. Normally stable jockies are victims of it. Soviet song is a sprinter with nice intial speed, but champion jockey Shroff performed miserably on it.

The top sprinter Royal Aberdeen is partnerd by Appu for many wins, but for sprinters trials Aslam replaced him and available on 35 paise, Cyrus taraporavala is trainer . Aslam rode a mediocre race and complained that saddle is slipped back, but during paddock scrutiny it was found intact, eventhough he eascaped with out suspension he lost trainer licence on that account at BTC.

What ever the instructions, last 200 metres jockey must fully ride the horse to its potential, so instructions will be upto last 20 metres and luck prevails there after.

Eventhough not highly successful, SR. Bhagawat is a jockey always given his true potential if asked to do so., and in present generation is Y.S.Srinath...he judge the horse and will bring best .

You have missed an another Jockey : Wally Swinburn  and Terry Mckeown

I was losing in Races and only I realised that irrespective of the ability or stamina of the horse it is the Jockey who drives the horse to the winning post.

Many jockeys have the gift of balancing their weight perfectly and judge pace correctly. As a result they become popular and start winning frequently. If you follow frequently winning jockeys and even ifyou lose no problem you can recover your dues soon or later. I have acumulated fairly good amount only after following a few jckeys and NOT PLAYING OTHER races.

When I visited Singapore for the first time, there was an Off course betting 

from Penang Race Course at Singapore. I had no idea about Penang Horses. I just looked up winning Jockey List. I found Jockey Mitchikova was the leading Jockey. He had two mounts on that day I played both and fortunately he won both the races. We have to pay pay attention to horsemanship while picking up the winner

Regards

Ayyarnet

For winning a race apart from so many things jockey’s role is very important. He should be good athletic, light-weight, fit and trim and posses of good riding techniques and skills. Selection of jockey plays vital role in winning. Even a good horse can loose due to bad jockeyship and  many times jockey’s skill turn a loosing horse into winning performer. 

My favourite jockeys were Aslam Kader, R Corner, Karan Singh, P Khade, Jagdish and P Shroff and in present lot Suraj Narredu and A Sandesh.

Jockeys role is important for the following—

1) Maintain riding equipments such as saddle, boots, helmet, googles and whip in good serviceable condition. 

2) Remain alert at the time of jump and position the horse well up with leaders or in striking position as per the distance of the race.

3) Pace judgement as instructed by the trainer or to use his own experience and position the horse according to the slow or fast pace.

4) Accelrate the speed of the horse at right time by urgings, pushing or by using whip but to avoid excessive whipping.

5) Avail the gaps as available to travel shortest possible distance. ( coming from railing side/inside ) and if gaps are not available than smoothly switch over the horse to outside and try his best to win. 

6) Avoid the possibility of blocking when there is no sufficient room. So also avoid checking, blocking, bumping and clipping.

7) Preserve the energy of the horse and to use in last / final furlong to deliver the best.

8) Avoid over confident riding and unnecessary slowing the speed of the horse to ease up before passing the winning post. 

9) Give correct feedback about the horse after the race to trainer / owner and suggestions regarding habit of horses like - hanging, drifting shifting, dislike for whip, running green, not galloping fluently, gate manners , rearing up or jumping awkwardly. 

10) To suggest any change in equipment or distance if he feels so.

A good jockey will always punctual and regular at track work and often keep visiting the stables to discuss the planning for race and also would like to go through past vedios to know more about the shortcomings and habits and qualities of the horse.