New Delhi: “Some horses will test you, some will teach and some will bring out the best in you.” It is well known that horse races are the places where a racehorse and its rider can take several thousand people for a ride at the same time.
The gentleman in the frame, who has indeed taken everyone for a ride beyond the international borders is none other than Neeraj Rawal. He is a thirty-five-year-old Indian jockey who is consecutively earning stardom globally and presently earning a huge spotlight in the UK. What other day would have been the chosen one, to mark the success of Neeraj Rawal?
The Indian Jockey Celebrated Independence Day with double victories consecutively within two days, this August:
Neeraj made the entire nation proud on the 75th INDEPENDENCE DAY 2022. And just to add to this already a big win, he won another race in just two days after the former victory in the UK once again. He is the first Indian rider to win this title in the United Kingdom. Neeraj Rawal rode the three-year-old Mark Johnston-trained filly, Jilly Cooper, to victory at Lingfield Park becoming the first Indian jockey to do it in living history.
He is a celebrated and esteemed, yet sombre, jockey in Indian racing, with numerous major leagues among his more than 60 Group race wins, including ‘India’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe,’ the Indian Turf Invitation Cup, alongside his Indian Oaks winner Temerity.
The Dreamer:
Neeraj Rawal hails from a middle-class family, born to a military man and a family of well-acclaimed riders like Malesh Narredu and Satish Narredu the top names amongst the jockeys. When he was in his teens, he was quite different from the boys of his age. His eyes were on the trophies won by his cousin decorated in a glass cupboard. He was determined to earn more and see his name inscribed on trophies.
He was a dreamer and had well visioned his career at a very young age. He indeed took the bold step of deviating his attention from academics to becoming a jockey. He made his decisions clear and firm and didn’t keep it to himself. He opened up to his father and his interest was motivated by his father.
From a young age, Neeraj only envisioned himself becoming the best jockey and today he stands proud to have been gaining all that he ever dreamt of. Neeraj was indeed fortunate to have been assigned as an apprentice to trainer Subhag Singh who had a terrific riding career and the person who introduced him to Shyam Ruia. Ruia, a senior RWITC administrator, horse breeder, and owner, whose life was forever altered.
Neeraj had found a mentor par excellence in Ruia. Rawal has also received instruction from two of the world’s greatest trainers, Andre Fabre and John Oxx. But somehow all these years were only the waiting period, for Neeraj’s turn finally came this year with Temerity, who won the Indian Oaks and the Invitation Cup. And from there it was no turning back.
The first ever Indian Jockey Neeraj Rawal imprinting his victory on the British Tracks:
It was never a win-win situation for Neeraj always, yet he never lost hope. Over the years, he experienced that everyone has a day and he has to wait for his turn. And, thus the Indian Jockey Neeraj finally stands proud with the Indian Oaks and the invitation Cup.
Neeraj Rawal being a self-made man has demonstrated throughout his career that he does not forgo the challenges that erupt on his path. He has already made his mark and is building more worthy connections in Britain. There he is already earning the kind of trust in his commitment and ability. He has faith upon this commitment to open up the valve of many other golden yet diverse opportunities for him and others who wish to follow up via India.
It indeed is a big step towards the future of this sport in the Indian arena. Hats off to this man for making history and opening up the gates for many. There will of course be an abundance in the hoard of online sports bookmakers through all mediums to bet upon the best from this day onwards. However, the racing horse Neeraj Rawal has proved to be undefeatable and ready to lift many trophies ahead.
