Two years ago, Ayush Mudhoo hadn’t sat on the back of a horse and now he is a winning jockey.
The 19-year-old Mauritian enjoyed watching his brothers Ashvin and Krishna Mudhoo ride in New Zealand in his formative years, and it was upon visiting them that his dream of becoming a jockey began.
“I used to watch my brothers races online, and then I came here (New Zealand) on holiday and I met Ilone Kelly. She asked me if I wanted to be a jockey and I said I would give it a go,” Ayush Mudhoo said.
“I had never ridden a horse in Mauritius, so I started riding here (New Zealand). I have been here two years, and it is great that I am riding in races now.”
Mudhoo said he is also enjoying the New Zealand lifestyle.
“It has been very good, I am meeting a lot of people and making a lot of friends,” he said.
Mudhoo went into Hasting’s meeting on Saturday without a win to his name, but he quickly changed that when guiding the Ilone Kelly-trained Peppery to a half head victory in the Livamol Classic On Sale Now Handicap (1200m) before quickly doubling his tally in the following race when winning aboard Amend in the Three Wise Birds Handicap (1200m).
Mudhoo was rapt to get the winning double and said it was made even more special to do it for his mentor.
“I knew I had good horses and I was confident in myself, and everything went well,” he said.
“I had the perfect run with Peppery and I just took it and she just flew home.
“I still didn’t believe I had won after going past the winning post but coming back I heard I came first and I was pretty excited, and seeing my trainer happy made me happier.
“My day got even better with my second win, it was amazing. My phone was ringing a lot, everyone was happy.”
Mudhoo is hoping to score a few more wins before season’s end and is looking forward to taking on more challenges next term.
“Next season I would like to ride more winners and be in the top five of the apprentices premiership,” he said.
