IPOH:  Jan 14, 2014

Former champion local jockey Ismadi Ismail will make his debut as a trainer in Ipoh this weekend after securing stables from the Perak Turf Club.

Son of the late jockey Ismail Asban, Ismadi was indentured to now-retired champion trainer Teh Choon Beng and was associated with several top horses trained by his master.

His first big win came in the 1989 Tunku Gold Cup (2000m) astride ZHOU DYNASTY and won the race twice more with PEAK OF PERFECTION XI in 1997 and 1999.

He also won the 1997 Singapore Derby (2400m) and the 1998 Perak Derby (2400m) with PEAK OF PERFECTION XI.

In 1990, Ismadi won a sprint double, the Agong Gold Cup (1200m) and the Sultan Gold Vase (1100m) with BESTPLAN. Agong Gold Cup was later renamed Selangor Gold Cup.

Ismadi also won the inaugural running of the Raffles Cup in 1991 on TUNEFUL MELODY and the 1997 Queen Elizabeth II Cup astride GRAND JURY.

After hanging up his boots, Ismadi tried his hand at business but was soon lured back to the sport of kings while his brother Azhar, indentured to the late Lim Hock Bee, continued his career in the saddle and became multiple champion Malaysian jockey.

Ismadi became a stable supervisor, then assistant trainer to Peter Lee before applying and was granted his licence recently.

His son Amirul Adil made his debut as a rider last year and booted home nine winners and is one the more promising apprentices on the circuit.

Ismadi has three entries each this Saturday and Sunday.