KINGSTON, Jamaica - He has been around for a while in racing, from a young man growing up close to the racetrack and after becoming a licensed trainer.
He knows the ins and the outs of horse racing and today trainer Rudoph Hardial shares his history and his thoughts on horse racing.
QUICK GALLOP (QG): How did you get into horse racing to become a trainer?
RUDOLPH HARDIAL (RH): That was easy. I had three cousins who were jockeys: Devon, Keith and Glenford Royal. So, from a little boy who born and grow up down at Newlands, I was in racing. So much so, that I used to scull school on race days and go to watch my cousins ride and when out of school I would have time to go and learn about horses and their preparation, watching them train and be around the stables to be close to them and care for them.
QG: What year did you become a trainer?
RH: 1996
QG:: Which horse was your first winner?
RH: Perseus was my first start and he was my first winner.
QG: Which is the best horse you have trained so far?
RH: Pallas Athena
QG: Which horse was your longest odds winner?
RH: It was at 96/1 but I do not remember the horse’s name. However, I have also won with Sabrina at 80/1. I have also saddled a number of long-shot winners throughout my training career but the 96/1 chance slipped my memory momentarily.
QG: Which is the best two-year-old have you conditioned?
RH: Liola in the Toyota Cup, where she ran third. I have also won 11, two-year-old races among the cast was Mr Dunn.
QG: Which the biggest race you’ve won to date?
RH: The St Catherine Cup with Pallas Athena.
