QUESTION: (Q)
HOWARD JAGHAI (HJ)
Q: How did you get involved in the sport of horse racing?
HJ: I was born into racing. My grandfather was a track supervisor; my uncle was a prominent owner and has been a champion breeder on 10 occasions; and my father is a living legend who has saddled over 340 winners. I’ve always aspired to become a trainer, but I took it seriously in 1997 when I became an assistant trainer to my father.
Q: When did you get your trainer’s licence?
HJ: I officially started training horses in 2001.
Q: Which horse was your first winner?
HJ: My first winner was Sir Thakur Baba on Superstakes Day in 2001, owned by my uncle Henry W Jaghai. Winning my first race was an amazing feeling, one that’s indescribable. I followed up on the following Saturday with another horse owned by my uncle, Lady Balari. I felt a sense of accomplishment because a lot of hard work went into that one [my first winner], and it was something I’d been dreaming of since I was a kid. It was an amazing feeling, one that cannot be described. It’s indescribable.
Q: What are some of the big races you have won?
HJ: I’ve not had any Classic winners as yet, but I have won a couple of Stakes races with Palace Gold, who is the best horse I’ve ever trained. I won 11 races, finished second 14 times, and finished third 11 times with Palace Gold. One of the races that Palace Gold won was the 2012 Jamaica 50th Anniversary Trophy.
Q: What is your main goal or what you would like to achieve out of racing?
HJ: Other than training, I manage my uncle’s farm, formerly known as Bombay Stud Farm, now known as Willie’s Racing Stables Limited at Bombay, operated by Mark and Matthew Williams, my cousins. We’re currently in the rebuilding process, and so far we have done a phenomenal job. My main objectives are to rebuild my barn and get the farm back to its glory days. I also want to win a couple of Classics and get back into the top 10. If I have the numbers, I believe in the possibility of becoming a champion trainer one day.
Q: You have reached 99 winners, are there any nerves or anxiety building up to reach 100?
HJ: No anxiety whatsoever; no pressure because it’s inevitable. I’m more focused on keeping my horses healthy and sound and rebuilding as compared to winning my 100th race, which will come eventually.
Q: What would it mean to you to reach that figure of 100 winners?
HJ: It is an important milestone in any sportsman’s career, but being my biggest critic and always pushing myself, I should’ve reached 100 a long time ago. There were a few hiccups along the way, but I stood firm, and with 22 years under my belt and 99 genuine career wins, I’m still standing. I would like to emulate my father by winning over 341 races.
Q: Which is the best horse you have seen race at Caymanas Park?
HJ: The best horses I’ve seen in my time would have to be She’s A Maneater and Miracle Man.
Q: Do you have any regrets about coming into the racing industry?
HJ: One of my mottos is: I don’t live to regret, and as such, I have no regrets. I once aspired to become a doctor, architect, detective, and racehorse trainer, all at different stages of my life, but the latter was what I was drawn to the most.
