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Mauritius-born Saleem Golam shared the champion apprentice title with Hayley Turner in 2005, each riding a total of 44 winners. But from thereon their careers developed in very different directions. While Hayley went on to become a Group 1 and Royal Ascot-winning jockey, Saleem struggled once his claim had gone.
Mauritius-born Saleem Golam shared the champion apprentice title with Hayley Turner in 2005, each riding a total of 44 winners. But from thereon their careers developed in very different directions. While Hayley went on to become a Group 1 and Royal Ascot-winning jockey, Saleem struggled once his claim had gone.
He achieved his most notable successes when landing the 2007 Epsom Dash and 2008 Portland Handicap on Hogmaneigh for Stuart Williams. Thereafter, however, lack of opportunities in Britain forced him to largely ply his trade abroad.
He achieved his most notable successes when landing the 2007 Epsom Dash and 2008 Portland Handicap on Hogmaneigh for Stuart Williams. Thereafter, however, lack of opportunities in Britain forced him to largely ply his trade abroad.
Saleem rode his final British winner on Robbie Roo in a class 6 handicap at Wolverhampton on September 27, 2016. He had last ride in Britain when finishing 13th of 15 aboard 33-1 outsider Sonnet Rose, trained by Conrad Allen, at Chelmsford City on October 5, 2017. He finished his career in Doha and had what proved to be the last ride of his career there on Giuseppe Garibaldi on January 10, 2019, finishing eighth in a mile-and-a-quarter turf race.
Saleem rode his final British winner on Robbie Roo in a class 6 handicap at Wolverhampton on September 27, 2016. He had last ride in Britain when finishing 13th of 15 aboard 33-1 outsider Sonnet Rose, trained by Conrad Allen, at Chelmsford City on October 5, 2017. He finished his career in Doha and had what proved to be the last ride of his career there on Giuseppe Garibaldi on January 10, 2019, finishing eighth in a mile-and-a-quarter turf race.
By then in his mid-30s and having ridden just short of 400 winners round the world, he pondered his future while working in Dubai during the winter of 2019/20. Thinking outside the box, he decided to enrol on a course at the London School of Barbering and train as a hairdresser. It meant a long day, as he was riding out in the morning and then driving down to be in London for midday. He graduated in August 2020, following an enforced break midway through the course when lockdown forced salons to close.
By then in his mid-30s and having ridden just short of 400 winners round the world, he pondered his future while working in Dubai during the winter of 2019/20. Thinking outside the box, he decided to enrol on a course at the London School of Barbering and train as a hairdresser. It meant a long day, as he was riding out in the morning and then driving down to be in London for midday. He graduated in August 2020, following an enforced break midway through the course when lockdown forced salons to close.
Reflecting on his career in racing, he said: “I have zero regrets. Things haven’t been going my way for a good number of years but when you enjoy doing something you will explore every avenue and knock on every door – horses have taken me to 17 different countries and I’ve had a lot of fun.”
Reflecting on his career in racing, he said: “I have zero regrets. Things haven’t been going my way for a good number of years but when you enjoy doing something you will explore every avenue and knock on every door – horses have taken me to 17 different countries and I’ve had a lot of fun.”
He added: “There comes a time when you’ve got to realise that the positive side of it is not quite there anymore. I always said I’d be happy as a journeyman jockey, getting a couple of rides a day and a winner a week. But when even that becomes unrealistic and it’s one ride every four or five days and a winner every two months the excitement and the positivity is taken away and it can get quite stressful.”
He added: “There comes a time when you’ve got to realise that the positive side of it is not quite there anymore. I always said I’d be happy as a journeyman jockey, getting a couple of rides a day and a winner a week. But when even that becomes unrealistic and it’s one ride every four or five days and a winner every two months the excitement and the positivity is taken away and it can get quite stressful.”
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