Carnarvon races: long way from home for Mauritius jockey Laqdar Ramoly

When the Carnarvon races run in Geraldton on Friday the horses from the North West will have travelled pretty far to get there. But probably no one will have has travelled further than Perth-based jockey Laqdar Ramoly, who is visiting WA under an agreement with the Le Mauritius Turf Club in Mauritius, which is his home. An island nation off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is known for its sandy beaches, rainforests, surfing and snorkelling. But it’s also got races, and jockeys head to WA to run as part of their apprenticeship, Ramoly said. “I’m riding every day,” he said. “Sleeping, chilling, watching movies. We race four times a week. “Back home we work six days a week, but we race only on Saturdays.” He will ride in all seven races at Geraldton on Friday. Ramoly has ridden at regional tracks in Albany, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie — and enjoys coming to Geraldton. “It’s nice there,” he said. “Everyone is friendly and cool. “It’s good to ride there, it’s never raining. Good weather.” Ramoly said he knew of at least two other jockeys from Mauritius who had ridden in WA. He wasn’t supposed to be here: he had planned to fly home earlier this year but couldn’t leave due to the COVID-19 lockdown. With a win at the Carnarvon races earlier this month, and one win and three placings in his last 10 starts at provincial and metro tracks, you wouldn’t bet against him at this meeting.