Dubai: Abdul Bashir, a groom at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in bustling Mumbai, never thought that he would work abroad until curiosity got the better of him and he said yes to an offer letter from Dubai. Before he knew it, he was reporting to work at 4am at the Jebel Ali Stables and discovering the joys of grooming top-class race horses like Classic Ruler, Faltaat and Azhar.
The year was 1990.
Fast forward to the present. Bashir still wakes up at 4am and reports for work on the dot at 4.30am. For him nothing has changed, barring the horses that he takes care of.
He is as passionate about his job as he was 22 years ago and is even enthused to say that the Jebel Ali Stables is "the best place to work".
Speaking to Gulf News in his native Hindi he said: "If you have got the passion for horses, this is the best place to work. The boss [Dhruba Selvaratnam] will listen to your inputs and doors will open. He has played a big role in my life, both on the professional and personal levels.
Abilities
"I have constantly improved my technical abilities when it comes to grooming horses, and I have learned so many new skills over the years here. If you ask me, I wouldn't want to work anywhere else, even if they paid me more. I'm comfortable enough here and would never think of leaving."
Like Bashir, Travelling Head Lad Wayne Mason confesses to having poured his heart and soul into the Jebel Ali Stables since he joined in 1992 as a work rider.
"Like with many of the staff employed at Jebel Ali, I have built my career here, this is where my heart belongs," he said.
"I came in as an inquisitive youngster, but I was soon learning things from Dhruba, who has been a wonderful boss all these years.
"The best part about working at Jebel Ali is that it has always been a routine which Dhruba set in the early days. It was easy to adapt to and everything is run very smoothly, up to today.
"Like myself, many of the staff who joined in the early days have not had all that much experience, however, with the support of Dhruba, they have brushed up their skills to fit perfectly into the capable team that we now have," added Mason, who rode 10 winners during 1992-2006.
"We've also been fortunate to have had some great jockeys and horses represent our stables. Ramp And Rave, who won the Dubai Golden Shaheen on the Dubai World Cup night in 1999 when ridden by American Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, was one of our biggest stars. Willie Supple, Johnny Murtagh and Brette Doyle have all worked here."
Juggling roles
Ratan Singh, the stables' veteran farrier and Bhanudas Shankar Yadav, who has successfully juggled his roles as a work rider and a groom since the early 90s, are both thrilled to celebrate the 20th Anniversary with Jebel Ali Stables.
"Shoeing can be hard work, but when you have a boss like [Dhruba] Selvaratnam, it becomes a lot easier," said Singh, who is from Rajasthan in India.
"In the 22 years that I have worked here, I have enjoyed every moment — the team spirit we have and the goals that we chase.
"I've seen horse shoes change from steel to aluminium, and learnt how to use them suitably for every horse. It has been an amazing experience working here at Jebel Ali Stables and I would not wish to change anything that it has given me in my life."
Yadav, who previously worked in Mumbai, is equally passionate about his tenure at the stables.
"I have spent half my life here and I have no regrets," he said.
"I love this place and love working for my boss. You will never find another boss like him anywhere."
It appears that team spirit has been one of the key factors in the evolution of Jebel Ali Stables.
