Jockey Johari Kamaruddin bin Mohammad will make his debut on this weekend, Saturday, 15th and Sunday, 16th July 2023.
Better known as “Joe Kamaruddin” in New Zealand, Johari started his career in 2012 as a syce with trainer KL Chong in Ipoh and in 2014, he was upgraded to a track rider.
He then moved up north to the stables of Bonny Ng in Penang Turf Club where he worked for a year. The following year, he shifted to Singapore and worked in the stables of S Burridge, L Khoo, HW Tan & KY Young till March 2018.
At that time, Jockey R Shafiq who was two-time Singapore Champion Apprentice, presented Johari with an opportunity to join Te Akau Stables in New Zealand. He grabbed the opportunity and moved to New Zealand. After a year plus in New Zealand, his hard work paid off when he rode his first winner, AL HARAM on 25th July 2020 at Avondale Jockey Club.
In the following year, he rode 37 winners and in the 21/22 racing season, he recorded 62 winners and was crowned as New Zealand Champion Apprentice, a rare feat achieved by a Malaysian. To date, he has ridden 55 winners in the current season.
New Zealander Jockey Craig Grylls who rode at the Sungei Besi Racecourse during the Tunku Gold Cup race meeting in May, informed “Joe” upon his return that Selangor Turf Club has a spectacular wide track with a long straight and it was pleasant riding here.
As Johari was scheduled to return home for a short holiday after spending the past four years in New Zealand, he inquired into a short-term license with the Club to get a feel of the track.
Subsequently, the Club issued him with a license and has 6 rides lined up over the weekend.
