Awesome Ajtebi

Outstanding.

That's the word jockey Ahmed Ajtebi uses to describe the past 12 months as he has gone from little known to well known with victories in top-level races both in the UAE and abroad.

The 27-year-old Dubai native began riding camels at age seven and was forced to "retire" at 15 because he reached the maximum weight allowance of 55 pounds. He rode his first winner in 2003 but it wasn't until last year at this time that he jumped into the global spotlight with a pair of victories on the Dubai World Cup card.

Ajtebi rode Eastern Anthem to a dramatic nose victory over Spanish Moon in the $5-million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) and followed that up in the next race with a victory aboard Gladiatorus in the $5-million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1).

Winning in Dubai is one thing. He made good stateside and in Europe as well as he piloted Vale of York (Ire) to a stunning victory over eventual Eclipse Award-winner Lookin at Lucky in the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) during the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park.

He also rode Gladiatorus to victory in the Premio Vittorio de Capua (Ity-G1) in October and picked up a pair of Group 3 victories in France at Longchamp to boost his career earnings to more than $8.7-million.

"It was a really great year ... outstanding," the soft-spoken but personal young rider said. "Everything kind of fell right into place and I got on some good horses and made the best of those opportunities.

"It will be hard to repeat this year, but I have been working hard and hope to get on more good horses as the year goes on."

Asked what he learned during his whirlwind season, Ajtebi thought for a moment before answering.

"I think it is that you have to work even harder once you start to do well. There is a lot more responsibility and a lot more things you have to do, and you have to make sure you keep working hard every day to stay in good position for the future."

Keen insight from a young man obviously wise beyond his years.