Rookie trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash delighted with maiden win

Dubai: Rookie trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash is keeping his feet on the ground despite making a dream start to his career at Meydan’s Expo 2020-themed meeting on Thursday night.

A former assistant to Mubarak Bin Shafya at the Al Aasfa Stables, Harmash secured his maiden victory with only his second runner — the formerly Godolphin-trained Ormindo, who landed the 1,600-metre Expo 2020 Handicap under stable jockey Adrie de Vries.

The Emirati, who has a background in endurance riding, put his dream start down to his time spent with the horses at Al Aasfa.

“It was important for me to get the experience I needed, to learn more about horses, and hopefully that’s something that has helped me,” he said.

“It’s a big moment for me, to lead in my first career winner, particularly at Meydan. I enjoyed every minute, every second of the race. This is where I feel I belong and now I just want more of it.”

Harmash expressed his gratitude to Bin Shafya for bringing his skills to the attention of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“I can’t thank His Highness Shaikh Mohammad enough for giving me the chance to train in the UAE,” he said. “It is a big honour and a big responsibility, but I’m prepared for the challenges ahead. With the help of my team I believe we can build a strong stable for the future.”

When asked what his career goals are, Harmash indicated he was prepared to shoot for the stars.

“Every trainer’s dream is to have a runner on Dubai World Cup night and that’s my dream as well,” he said. “Obviously you need to have a horse good enough to live that dream and I think Jamr can be that kind of horse.

“He’s run at the top level, last year he contested all three legs of the Al Maktoum Challenge and he didn’t run too badly. But the plan is to try him on turf this season and, if he does well, we’ll look at the Dubai City of Gold (G2, 2,400m) and, who knows, perhaps the Dubai Gold Cup (G2, 3,200m) on the big day [Dubai World Cup].”

Harmash also disclosed that he nurtured international ambitions as well.

“I’ve been involved with horses for a long time and even helped some owners in their deals,” he said. “I purchase Jet Express from South African trainer Herman Brown for Mr Ahmad Al Felasi in 2007. The horse went on to win eight races in the UAE including the Jebel Ali Mile in 2010. So I’ve been around quite a while and know my way around.

“But I would also like to win a race in Europe one day to show the world that more and more Emirati trainers are looking for greater horizons.”

Also on Thursday, in-form handler Satish Seemar teamed up with stable jockey Richard Mullen to complete a meet double with Puzzlemaker and Genius Step, the latter pulling off one of the most exhilarating wins of the night when holding off Innocuous by a nose in the 1,200m Expo 2020 Handicap.

The racing spotlight shifts to Sharjah on Saturday with a full six-race card starting at 2.15pm.