A champion jockey in Pakistan that also played cricket for his country, this week’s candidate is a well -travelled horseman that now calls Emirates Park home.
This week we find out more about Shahid Rashid, who works for His Excellency Nasser Lootah’s highly successful Australian breeding and racing operation Emirates Park at Murrurundi in the Hunter Valley.
1/ Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?
I'm from Lahore, Pakistan, and I have been involved in the thoroughbred industry from a young age. My father and older brother were champion jockeys in Pakistan, and as a family we owned horses.
My brother is currently a trainer in Pakistan, and when I was young I used to go to the races with my father. This also influenced me to join the industry. I was 16 when I received my jockey riding license. I won over 300 races and was awarded champion rider in 1992 and 1993, when I was only 19 and 20 years of age.
I moved to Australia in October 2002, when I received the opportunity to work for His Excellency Nasser Lootah, the principal of the Emirates Park stud in Australia. I became a pre-training manager for Emirates Park and we had a lot of success.
I especially want to thank His Excellency Nasser Lootah, and Faisal Farooq who gave me the opportunity to work for Emirates Park.
2/ What does a workday in the life of Shahid Rashid look like?
Typically on a busy day my routine consists of starting in the morning to prepare the yearlings for the sales. That takes plenty of time when you have big drafts to sell. Feed runs, checks to see if the horses are okay, a bit of this and a bit of that, and before you know its 5pm! No day is the same on a horse stud.
3/ Who is your favourite horse and why?
I have had two favourite horses in my life. One was called Quickstep back in Pakistan, and she was the one who helped me learn how to ride. Quickstep was great to me, she was very calm, nice and never aggressive. She was definitely one of the kindest horses I've ever known.
My second favourite horse was Shamekha here in Australia, she was always my favourite because she won three Group One races for the farm, and she had a similar personality to Quickstep. She was very gentle and nice to ride, and followed all the instructions given to her.
4/ Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?
My best day at the races was when I received a championship trophy beside my father.
The other memorable day for me was when the farm won the Golden Slipper with Mossfun, and I was present there for that special day.
Last year in 2021, I took the Not a Single Doubt x One More Honey colt for through the ring and it sold for $1,800,000, and that was some thrill and also quite emotional.
5/ What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?
I don’t watch much TV, but I love watching Tennis and Cricket.
6/ Now that travel has opened again where is the first place you will go?
I would love to go Pakistan to see my family and friends. If I had the opportunity I would also want to visit Turkey.
7/ What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?
My favourite cuisine is homemade food, as my wife Farah Shahid is an excellent cook, and she makes the most delicious meals comparable to what you eat at restaurants. I also really enjoy Turkish cuisine.
8/ Name two things on your bucket list?
The first thing on my bucket list is to become a horse trainer, that has always been my dream of mine so someday before I retire, I would like to tick that one off the list. The second thing on my bucket list is win a race in South Africa, as I enjoy SAF racing thoroughly and follow it very keenly.
9/ What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
My father told me to always stay loyal, and to be honest in whatever you do in life. His advice has stayed with me no matter what the circumstances have been and I have been rewarded. Also, one must never give up on their dreams.
10/ Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?
I used to play cricket and had the privilege to play for the national team in Pakistan in 1988 and 1989. I was the captain in the under 16 group.
I was an all-rounder but a specialist fast bowler. I once took four wickets for one run. I only played a few games. When my brother had a very bad race fall I left cricket to become a jockey.
Here in Australia I have played for Murrurundi in the Hunter region League.
