Even as the racing fraternity is gearing up for the Invitation Cup weekend, jockey Aslam Kader has stunned them by announcing his retirement on Thursday. Recognised as one of few prolific riders in the country, Aslam donned the silks astride a horse for the first time at Mahalaxmi racecourse in 1978. After 26 years of glorious service in the saddle, the darling of the Indian railbirds has decided to call it a day. According to the pint-sized dynamite, he took this decision with extreme reluctance and purely on medical advice. Aslam has ridden 1717 winners during his illustrious career which includes numerous classics.
Aslam informed this decision to this correspondent during a brief telephonic conversation from his Bangalore residence.
“I’ve not fully recovered after my fall at Pune racecourse last year and medical experts, who I’ve been in constant consultation with, have advised me not to continue my career in the saddle as any further injury could be could prove to be harmful. Since the past few months, I’ve been experiencing niggling pain in the neck region, which has forced me to arrive at this decision. With a heavy heart I have decided to call it quits. I went to the office of the Jockeys Association of India here at around 11 a.m. today and submitted my retirement
papers,” narrated Aslam in a voice that was visibly choked with emotion.
