Champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe contends that the optimism and positive attitude shown by his team at the Grandstand Stables has been the key attribute to the success that they have achieved in winning back-to-back championships.
Al Raihe staunchly believes that to find success you need the right attitude and as a result, has devoted as much time inculcating this culture into the minds of his stable staff as he has spent in training thoroughbred stars such as Al Shemali, Derbaas, Haatheq and Happy Dubai.
"One of the most important things I have learnt in life is in order to be successful you need to have the right attitude. You have to stay positive and never give up," he told Gulf News during a visit to his Nad Al Sheba-based facility.
"Success does not come easy, but if you keep trying you can accomplish something," added Al Raihe who was attempting to shed light on a philosophy which has gone a long way in establishing his credentials in UAE racing circles.
Interestingly, Al Raihe edged out his brother-in-law Musabah Al Muhairi to win the coveted prize following a hotly-contested race to the finish. Both trainer's saddled 30 winners but Al Raihe was declared the champion on the basis of having saddled more runner-ups.
What did it feel like to snatch the title from Al Muhairi in this fashion?
"Musabah and I are very close, we know each other very well — our strengths, our weaknesses," Al Raihe revealed.
"Most times we can go into a race knowing whose horse will win and whose will lose. We are family, but we must still compete against each other to win. Ours is a friendly rivalry and that's what gives what we do a greater meaning. Horse racing is only a sport and we remain the best of friends.
Deserving win
"Musabah is a very good trainer and I believe he deserved to win this just as much as I did. But I think my whole team worked very hard for this and fully deserves the success."
Al Raihe highlighted the role played by his assistant trainer, Gulam Jilani Seddiqi. "Jilani is like my son. We have built a special relationship over time," says Al Raihe explaining the personal connection that he has forged with his right-hand man. "He knows what I want and gives me what I want. We have a perfect understanding of the horses and work towards common goals."
Jilani, who was a former jockey in his native Pakistan, is also in awe of Al Raihe's work ethics and the way he can relate to race horses.
"He has a special gift with horses. He understands them more than anybody else in the stable. He knows what they like and what they dislike, which barn makes them happy, the food they prefer, their individual qualities. He has an inside knowledge that makes him a very special trainer," he says.
"The boss has taught me that the horse is your best friend. You have to treat him like a friend and build his trust in you. When he is happy, both mentally and physically, he will give you the performances that you want. So the key is to keep them happy."
Fittingly, Al Raihe's Grandstand Stables achieved some of their best results in 2010-2011 with a horse aptly called Happy Dubai. The talented sprinter enjoyed a smashing season where he recorded a hat-trick of wins in the Dubai International Racing Carnival before going on to contest the Group 2 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night where he finished 10th.
"He's a wonderful horse who has a bright future," said Al Raihe, who also picked Derbaas, Haatheq and Mufarrh for special mention.
Whatever happens in the future, one thing is certain, Al Raihe has cemented his place in the history books. A mark of distinction that he fully deserves.
Did you know...
Al Raihe previously trained camels before taking up a flat trainer's licence where he operated from a small stable in Ajman.
As his team grew he moved to Sharjah before he was transferred to the Metropolitan Stables in Dubai where he saddled his first winner in 1996 with Zafran.
He was offered the job of training at the Grandstand Stables, where continues to be based.
