Ahmed Ajtebi

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Ahmed Ajtebi

Weight: 111.
Born: in Dubai. Age: 27.
Cousin of leading owner Saeed Manana, who is a close friend of Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum.
He started riding camels in races at the age of seven and rode approximately 200 winners during a 3,000 ride career. Was forced to retire at the age of 15 because he exceeded the maximum allowed weight of 25 kilos (55 pounds).
On the advice of Sheikh Mohammed, switched to riding horses despite never having sat on one before. He began riding in both thoroughbred and endurance races.
Rode his first winner on Junction Line at Nad Al Sheba on November 13, 2003.
Spent four months in the summer of 2003 with Irish trainer John Oxx. In 2004, he went to the Australian apprentice school in Melbourne. He has also spent two summers in South Africa with trainer Mike de Kock, riding 19 winners from 85 rides.
Became champion apprentice in Dubai in the 2007-8 season with 11 winners.
Rode his first big winner in Britain at the 2008 Royal Ascot meeting aboard Regal Parade in the Buckingham Palace Handicap. This raised his profile considerably but also alerted the immigration authorities and he was forced to return to the UAE early because of administrative problems concerning his visa.
Reached a personal best total of 18 winners from 210 rides in Dubai in 2008-9. The big highlight was Dubai World Cup night, when he guided Gladiatorus to a stunning victory in the Dubai Duty Free and Eastern Anthem to a narrow success in the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Has been riding regularly for Godolphin during the 2009 European season and notched his first European Group 1 triumph when Gladiatorus won the Premio Vittorio di Capua in Milan in October.
"I see myself as an ambassador for the UAE," he says of being the only Dubai-born jockey. "I represent my country when I compete."

NOTE: Bio stats include North American and selected international races. Click here to view selected international race list. Biographies on jockeys, trainers and owners are from the Breeders' Cup World Championships events from 2001 through 2009, and are intended as informational resources. Biographies will be updated if an individual is again a participant in the Breeders' Cup World Championships. Biographies are available for most horses appearing in the top 100 money earnings list, and/or for those who are frequently making headlines in the news starting with the 2006 Triple Crown season.