Suraj Narredu became the second Indian jockey to win 2,000 races last month, and the superstar could add the Indian Derby to his accomplishments this Sunday, but how long before this record-breaking rider`s insatiable appetite for success has him seeking new challenges and leaving for foreign shores? Suraj`s record is unmatched domestically, but his hunger for success and self-improvement could prompt him to apply to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for a licence.

Suraj`s 2,000 win milestone can be appreciated all the more when we look at the number of lifetime wins that some of the greatest jockeys in India have managed – Malesh Narredu (1,762 wins), Pesi Shroff (1,751 wins) Aslam Kader (1,717 wins). This is a jockey that has achieved all there is to at home – but evidently still wants more.

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Ever since he reached the 2,000-win landmark, Suraj`s career graph has risen sharply with a bagful of recent classics including the Gr 1 South India Derby on Sir Supremo and Gr 1 Bangalore Derby on War Hammer and Gr 1 Indian Champion Cup on Star Superior. And on Sunday, Suraj has a strong chance of winning his third Indian Derby (undoubtedly the most prestigious race in India) on War Hammer.

The one trait that distinguishes Suraj from other jockeys is his single-minded pursuit of excellence. Many jockeys in his position would have preferred to take things easy, but he is a man on a mission and continues to push himself and maintain a gruelling schedule, traversing India in search of winners. Unquestionably, the best Indian jockey riding today, Suraj also compares well with some of the past greats of Indian racing. He has always strived to achieve what others did not and has a strong desire to prove his mettle on the international stage as well. He is the only Indian jockey to have ridden a winner in the USA and has ridden winners in Macau and Mauritius. He is always looking for opportunities to better his craft, achieve more goals, break more records and ride in prestigious International racing jurisdictions.

Unfortunately for Suraj, the Indian jockeys of the earlier era did not share his enthusiasm to head abroad, which is why he blazes his own trail. For this reason, opportunities won`t come knocking because there is little exposure of Indian jockeys or awareness of Indian racing in other racing jurisdictions. Vasanth Shinde, who is hailed as one of India`s best jockeys, rode once in an invitational racing at Hong Kong and won both the races he contested. Racing experts believe that Suraj is every bit as talented as Shinde and more focussed in achieving new milestones. Since Shinde`s 100% sweep of his Hong Kong rides, no other Indian jockey has had an opportunity to ride at Hong Kong. Suraj is very keen that he breaks into this circuit. And given the confidence, temperament, clean reputation, talent and safety that Suraj has been riding with, it would be Hong Kong`s gain should Suraj gets an opportunity to ride in Hong Kong – the mecca of racing.

And if Suraj was to successfully move to Hong Kong, he would be lifting the profile of Indian racing and blazing a trail for future talent. Yes, his fans may not get to see him ride often in India, and owners and trainers would miss his services, but he would be representing an entire industry and putting the spotlight on India when riding under the bright lights of Happy Valley. He would be a powerful ambassador for Indian racing, lifting the sport`s profile and perhaps even opening opportunities for bloodstock trade.

Suraj is immensely popular with Indian racing fans. His efforts to galvanize the crowd after he wins big races, where he revs-up the on-track attendees and throws his racing goggles to his admiring fan base is charming to watch and reminiscent of the charisma that riders like Frankie Dettori, Oisin Murphy and Joao Moreira exhibit. Despite the adulation of his devoted fans, it is Riya, his pretty wife, his son Aarush and his daughter Natasha that are his most ardent supporters and are often present trackside to cheer him on. While Suraj is not on the track, one can find him playing snooker or cosying up with his family to watch movies. Suraj maintains his fitness with gym sessions for an hour for at least 4 days a week. Even though he travels extensively, he makes it a point to do 30 minutes of cardio every day, which allows him to drop down from 54.5 kilograms (120 pounds) to 53.5 kilograms (118 pounds), if needed.

BANGALORE DERBY 2020 WINNER | War Hammer

Racing in India has been a colonial legacy and the British introduced horse racing in India when India was ruled by them. This is the reason why all the major races in India have the English names attached to it like the Derby, the Guineas, the Oaks and the Leger. The British were also responsible for introducing racing in other jurisdictions like Hong Kong and Australia. Jockeys from Australia have made a big mark in Hong Kong, but unfortunately, Indian jockeys have been deprived of this opportunity because the Indian turf authorities have been reluctant to market the sport internationally. On odd occasions, Indian jockeys have been sent for international competition, but there is no concerted effort to promote Indian racing internationally, which has become a big drawback for jockeys like Suraj who have the hunger to compete with the best in the world.



The late B Prakash was the only Indian jockey to have completed riding more than 2,000 winners. There are a handful of Indian jockeys who have reached the landmark of riding 1,000 winners. If one puts Suraj`s achievement of riding 2,000 winners in this perspective, it seems a record that will not be surpassed for a long time. For one, B Prakash rode for a powerful stable where he was assured of more than 100 winners in a season, whereas Suraj has elected to keep his options open and to ride for a diverse group of stables and different owners. Perhaps Suraj`s motivation to excel comes from his family, one of the preeminent racing families in India. His father Satish Narredu and his uncle Malesh Narredu were both successful jockeys with more than 1000 winners to their credit. Both have enjoyed great success since becoming trainers. Racing runs in his blood which is one reason why he has become such a successful professional.



Suraj has fared very well against reputed international jockeys who come during the winter season to ride in the Indian classics. His desire to stand in a league of his own is perhaps what motivates him to travel all over India in search of winners. In a racing culture where every defeat – especially those on favourites – is viewed with suspicion, Suraj has maintained an exemplary record with stipendiary stewards. Suraj has proved to be a very versatile jockey and has ridden tracks with sharper turns and wide-sweeping tracks with equal acumen.

Suraj is also blessed in that he would be astride the best four-year-old War Hammer in Sunday`s Indian Derby. He has also been retained to ride Star Superior who is the best older horse in training and has also been retained to ride the best juvenile in the country thus far namely Black Pearl. Clearly, he has tremendous things already going for him in India and will continue to break records that were previously thought of as impossible. But, given the hunger and dedication that this consummate professional had demonstrated in his career, it will be no surprise if Suraj were to look at competing against the best jockeys in the world in Hong Kong, which is unquestionably the world`s leading racing jurisdiction.