After three decades of dedicated service to His Excellency Nasser Lootah and Emirates Park, long serving director of operations Dr Shalabh Sahu will ease into retirement at the end of this month.
First employed as the resident veterinarian of the thoroughbred operation’s Murrurundi headquarters and then subsequently in more broader management roles, Dr Sahu has been widely regarded as the heartbeat of the successful racing and breeding concern since its formation in the late 1980s, going about his daily responsibilities with the minimum of fuss and in his characteristic unassuming manner.
Involved in one capacity or another with Emirates Park even before the fateful Doncaster Handicap success of Secret Savings (USA) back in 1997, the popular industry elder statesman has overseen the breeding of such celebrated racetrack performers as Shamekha, Dash For Cash, Al Maher, Almalad and Fat Al, to name but a few, during his 39-year tenure with one of the country’s leading racing and breeding outfits.
Dr Sahu was also the central figure in the expert handling of Danewin’s fertility challenged 18 seasons at stud which were highlighted by five-time Group 1 winner Theseo, history making Hong Kong Derby winning racemare Elegant Fashion, and multiple 3YO Classic winners including subsequent Sydney Cup marvel County Tyrone.
Born in Nagpur, central India, and a distinguished member of the Indian armed forces at one stage of his adult life, Dr Sahu has long since been a popular figure in thoroughbred circles in and around the horse capital of Scone. Indeed, such have been his deeds in the area, the quiet achiever was the recipient of the 2011 Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association President’s Award for his services to the local fraternity, while he was also directly responsible for Emirates Park’s long term sponsorship of the Scone Cup Festival which greatly assisted the club in growing its two-day meeting into one of the leading Country Carnivals on the New South Wales racing calendar.
A great admirer of Dr Sahu, former Scone Race Club chairman Daniel Morgan put on record his appreciation for his contribution to the region.
“I first met Dr Sahu in the 1990s when I commenced undertaking legal work for Emirates Park. Dr Sahu has always been very respectful and thoughtful of his staff at Emirates Park, he has been a pleasure to work with and has freely shared his enormous veterinary and thoroughbred knowledge as well as his experience.
“Sahu [as he is commonly known] and his wife Sadhana have been very active in the community also, especially at Scone Grammar School where all our children were educated. He was also responsible for Emirates Park becoming a major supporter of the Scone Race Club, sponsoring the Scone Cup for many years.
“The racing and breeding industry in the Hunter Valley is in such good shape thanks in part to Dr Sahu’s contribution.”
Respected bloodstock sales consignor Robyn Wise is one of a host of past employees of Emirates Park who still treasure their time working under Dr Sahu. A former yearling manager for the hugely successful thoroughbred nursery, she was amongst the first to give her thanks for the time she spent under his wing.
As Robyn put it: “Emirates Park is a truly special place to raise horses, as evidenced by its legacy on the racetrack, and Dr Sahu is an indelible part of that legacy. Working there was a wonderful time in my life and again, Dr Sahu was an enormous part of that. I’d very much like to thank him for his wisdom, guidance, laughs and, most importantly, his friendship.”
Speaking on behalf of HE Nasser Lootah and his son Hussain, current Emirates Park general manager Bryan Carlson was also keen to pay tribute to a man who has been a supervisor, mentor and friend to countless members of the thoroughbred community — primarily so in his adopted Hunter Valley.
“I know the Lootah family are very keen for everyone to know how grateful they are for Dr Sahu’s service, which is just shy of 40 years,” stated Carlson.
“To think that the stud was first established in Blandford in 1989 and has navigated all the trials and tribulations that come with thoroughbred breeding and racing to get to where we are today… well, it just speaks volumes for the standards Dr Sahu has set over such a lengthy period of time.
“Personally speaking, I’ve had the pleasure of working in tandem with him for the past decade and I greatly value the partnership we have shared.”
In explaining the transition and the great pride he has in his achievements, Dr Sahu remarked: “I’d just like to congratulate Bryan for taking over the Managing Director role at Emirates Park and I wish him all the very best as the farm continues to surge ahead with one of the most commercial broodmare bands in domestic thoroughbred breeding, of which I am proud to have played my part in developing.
“I have so many fond memories over close on 40 years of service to His Excellency Nasser Lootah, and I am eternally grateful to him for the kindness and inspiration he has constantly shown me. It really means the world to me and I have been blessed.
“I’d also like to show my appreciation to the Australian Thoroughbred Industry as a whole for making my journey in it so rewarding — both on a professional and personal level. I’ll remain a constant visitor to the sales, as well as to many of the major racing carnivals, and I look forward to bumping into everyone whose company I have so enjoyed.
“I would also like to offer a special thank you to my wife Sadhana who has been a constant companion for me and provided unconditional support every step of the way.
“I remain passionate about the Australian Thoroughbred Industry and my retirement is simply a case of me having more time to enjoy it in a bit more of a leisurely fashion.”
