B'lore girl first Indian to get US jockey licence
Aparna Das developed passion for horse riding at it city's riding institute
Aparna Das, student of a city college, has earned the distinction of becoming the first Indian woman to get a jockey's licence in the US.
This student of Mount Carmel College developed passion for horse riding at Bangalore Amateur Riding Institute (BARI) at the Bangalore Turf Club. Thrilled by the experience, Das decided to take it up as a profession.
Das' former trainer at BARI, captain Gautam Surender, says she was quick to learn the art of reins. Sinclair Marshall, a former ace saddle artiste who is living in Canada, said Das went through a lot of struggle to get the licence in the US.
When she decided to take up jockeying as a profession, she felt the need to train under an international expert. That was when she learnt about jockey Chris McCarron's NARA, a two-year programme. Here, she got a chance to work with some of the best horse trainers. She told DNA she took up freelancing as it gave her the opportunity to work with acclaimed trainers. It has been physically and mentally exhausting, she recalls.
Competing for the leading apprentice title in September in Delaware at Laurel Park, Das met with a racing accident and injured her back. Since then, she has been out of racing and is undergoing therapy.
"This incident happened. So what! It does not discourage me I will soon be back, saddling these beautiful animals," she says with determination.
Jamaican trainer Aubrey Maragh was the one who gave Das her first break. She got her first ride in a race at Gulfstream Park , where some of the best jockeys take part. She finished third in that race. She fondly reminisces the thrilling finish of her first win, which was on April 10, 2011. "When the gates opened, River North—the same horse I rode my first race on—flew out. We had a good trip but on the final stretch, I had every kind of emotion go through me as I asked my horse to accelerate. The finish line seemed so far away and Spark Plug—the horse that finished second with the leading jockey Paco Lopez—seemed to be closing in.
"I knew I could not give in. I just pushed on the horse with all I had in me. The wire came but not without stopping my heart beat. Lopez passed me, saying 'I'm sorry. I know you were looking forward for your maiden.'
"As the official results came out, the crowd stood up to applaud for me. I just won by a nose."
Aparna Das developed passion for horse riding at it city's riding institute
Aparna Das, student of a city college, has earned the distinction of becoming the first Indian woman to get a jockey's licence in the US.
This student of Mount Carmel College developed passion for horse riding at Bangalore Amateur Riding Institute (BARI) at the Bangalore Turf Club. Thrilled by the experience, Das decided to take it up as a profession.
Das' former trainer at BARI, captain Gautam Surender, says she was quick to learn the art of reins. Sinclair Marshall, a former ace saddle artiste who is living in Canada, said Das went through a lot of struggle to get the licence in the US.
When she decided to take up jockeying as a profession, she felt the need to train under an international expert. That was when she learnt about jockey Chris McCarron's NARA, a two-year programme. Here, she got a chance to work with some of the best horse trainers. She told DNA she took up freelancing as it gave her the opportunity to work with acclaimed trainers. It has been physically and mentally exhausting, she recalls.
Competing for the leading apprentice title in September in Delaware at Laurel Park, Das met with a racing accident and injured her back. Since then, she has been out of racing and is undergoing therapy.
"This incident happened. So what! It does not discourage me I will soon be back, saddling these beautiful animals," she says with determination.
Jamaican trainer Aubrey Maragh was the one who gave Das her first break. She got her first ride in a race at Gulfstream Park , where some of the best jockeys take part. She finished third in that race. She fondly reminisces the thrilling finish of her first win, which was on April 10, 2011. "When the gates opened, River North—the same horse I rode my first race on—flew out. We had a good trip but on the final stretch, I had every kind of emotion go through me as I asked my horse to accelerate. The finish line seemed so far away and Spark Plug—the horse that finished second with the leading jockey Paco Lopez—seemed to be closing in.
"I knew I could not give in. I just pushed on the horse with all I had in me. The wire came but not without stopping my heart beat. Lopez passed me, saying 'I'm sorry. I know you were looking forward for your maiden.'
"As the official results came out, the crowd stood up to applaud for me. I just won by a nose."
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