There were 29 jockeys given licenses by the Bangalore Turf Club last season. Out of them, three have shown caliber to be good riders. J.H. Christopher, Vivek and Suraj Narredu. But it is Suraj who has taken a march over the other two while discarding the allowance claimer tag in a span of seven months. Born into a jockeys family it did not take long for Suraj to show his interest in horse riding. After a four year stint at Bangalore Amateur Riding Institute, Suraj obtained his license from Bangalore Turf Club in July 2002. Having to go through the ordeal of not striking the board in the first two months, there was no looking back for the 17-year-old Suraj after recording his first winner astride A.B. David schooled Predominate at Mysore in September 2002. Having drawn inspiration from Frankie Dettori (Magnificent Seven), Suraj attributes his  success to the champion rider. "Frankie Dettori has been my main source of inspiration and I would like to emulate his feat someday. Not one race day goes without me watching the video of Magnificent Seven before I go to the races," Suraj Narredu said.

Suraj has been the quickest to clinch his 40th winner when he piloted I’m Coming to a  fine victory at Mysore and later celebrated it another double astride Clipper and Silk Petals to impressive victories to take his tally to 42 winners in a very short time.  Ironically his 40th winner seems to announce the arrival of a champion with a horse  named I’m Coming. "He is a future champion in the making. Suraj’s results prove that. He has excellent balance, good temperament and is improving with each ride. He is very dedicated and is keen to rectify his mistakes. Mind you I am not making these comments as an uncle but as a jockey," India’s ace jockey Malesh Narredu said from Mumabi.

According to trainer Loknath Gowda, Suraj shows great potential and is bound to be one one of India’s top jockey. "He is an excellent rider with good temperament. Suraj is a keen learner and follows the trainer’s instructions. Infact I had four winners mainly due to Suraj’s skill. He did well to take the top honours on Burning Roma edging out Bin Tin Tin in a close finish and so also on Just Do It." he added. 

"By God’s grace Suraj has been doing well. The opportunities are coming his way. It is more like a hobby to him and he enjoys each and every moment of it. He is happy when he has ridden a good race but he faces criticism from his younger brother Rajesh when he has not done well," former jockey and trainer Satish Narredu said. 

"Suraj impressed me during the gymkhana races and he continues to do so," BTC Stipendiary steward Robin Corner opined of the emerging talent of Suraj Narredu. In appreciation of his achievement, the talented youngster has been selected to represent India in the apprentice invitational races that are to be held at Macau in the second week of May. Being the quickest to discard his apprentice status, Narredu is now set to display his  finesse at Mumbai where he is likely to ride Algeciras on Sunday. He has had a dream  beginning and has the class to be one of the best. Indian racing has seen two of the  Narredu’s cross the 1000 mark, will Suraj be the third?

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