KUALA LUMPUR,  12 August 2005

Late last month, the former jockey-turned-trainer wrote to the Selangor Turf Club that he was giving up his stables. His 10 stables at the club falls far short of the minimum average of 25 horses in training the MRA wants trainers to have for their licences to be renewed.

One of tallest jockeys of his days, Ismail was at the height of his career in the saddle when he surprisingly switched roles. But as a trainer, he never enjoyed the same kind of success that he enjoyed as a jockey.

Despite having a small string, Ismail still sent out nine winners last year but he has failed to saddle a winner this season.