Ahmed Ajtebi, who recently rode back-to-back winners for Godolphin in England, could find himself in Australia for the Melbourne Cup in November. The former camel rider made headlines when he became the first Emirati jockey to win a race on Dubai World Cup night last season, claiming the Dubai Duty Free on Gladiatorus and the Dubai Sheema Classic on Eastern Anthem. Now a regular feature on racetracks in England, France and Germany, Ajtebi has been an important part of Godolphin's success with two-year-olds this season, having ridden two of them to victory in strong races.
Ajtebi, 28, recently rode Vale of York to beat Frankie Dettori, the Godolphin No 1 aboard third-placed Atlantis Star, to the post at Goodwood on Tuesday. Two days earlier, he travelled to Longchamp to partner another promising Godolphin juvenile, Buzzword, to Group Three victory. "I've been enjoying my time in England and managed to get some really good rides," he said. "It felt like a really good win on Tuesday and I've been lucky with a nice run of results. Buzzword was an excellent win for me and to do it at a course like Longchamp was very special."
A trip to Germany also reaped rewards for Ajtebi, who was reunited with Melbourne Cup hope Eastern Anthem in August to score a well-run third in the Group One Rheinland Pokal. "Please God, this experience I am getting in Europe will help me when I come back to Dubai for the Meydan season," he said. Ajtebi, who may be making his way to the UAE via Australia as Godolphin has four runners, including Eastern Anthem, in entering quarantine for the Melbourne Cup.
"I don't know if I will be riding in Australia but of course it would be a great opportunity for me," he said. stregoning@thenational.ae
