TDN Q&A With Jimmy Unwala

Current Godolphin Flying Start trainee Tom Harris sits down with programme graduate Jimmy Unwala, now head of nominations at Aquis Farm in Australia, to talk about his career trajectory pre- and -post Flying Start.

TH: What is your background and how did you get into the sport?

JU: My family raced and bred horses back in India and when I was growing up, around age 10 or so, I would sit with them and go through the pedigree books and regularly go racing with them. That's where I got the bug from, but what really got me going was punting–I love having a punt.

TH: What experience did you have in the industry prior to applying for Flying Start?

JU: While I was at high school I worked for a summer at Poonawalla Stud in Pune, and then for a breeding season after I graduated, to see if that was what I wanted to do–and I absolutely loved it. Then I wanted to get some formal education so I went to the U.S., to the University of Kentucky, and I did a B.S. in Equine Science. They were some of my best years and the racing in the U.S. was fantastic. While I was in my last semester I applied for Flying Start and was fortunate to be selected.

TH: What's the main thing you took away from Flying Start?

JU: I have always believed that in horse racing, the ability to change with the times, adapt and the globalisation of the sport is the future. That's part of the reason why I loved the Flying Start. It allows you to travel to so many different countries and see how people do things differently. You might see someone and think, 'ahh, we don't do it like that,' yet it works for them. I loved getting to see that. Also Flying Start showed me how big, yet small, the industry is. Flying Start gives you a contact anywhere in the world and you meet some of the smartest brains in the business. I definitely wouldn't be here without that exposure.

TH: And after the Flying Start you went straight to work for Godolphin and then recently on to Aquis?

JU: Yes. I was with Godolphin, under the Flying Start then the Darley banner, from 2008 to 2018. A decade of my life. I worked as a nominations consultant for Darley in Aberdeen and I am now working for Aquis Farm as their head of nominations. I am still based in Scone and love my bloodstock.

TH: Do you enjoy the challenges this brings?

JU: Yes, absolutely. Darley was a great grounding for me and I wouldn't be here without them but I wanted to do a bit more. I can explore more facets of the business at Aquis. Also the beauty is that Aquis is growing and expanding rapidly, and to be a part of that progression is very rewarding. That was the reason I decided to make the leap and move away from my very happy life at Kelvinside, but I do miss my Darley family.

TH: Are there any big plans for Aquis moving forward? Any international expansion?

JU: We do have an international presence, as we race horses in America and Europe and we have shuttled a couple of stallions too–Divine Prophet to Ireland and Spill The Beans to England. Of course, we are also very active in Hong Kong and other Asian markets but we really want to focus on Australia first. We had a massive consignment of mares, weanlings and yearlings this year at Magic Millions and Inglis and we sold really well. We are also very active purchasers at the sale. The stallion roster has also grown from just a couple of stallions up in Queensland to a roster of 14 at present in a dual-state operation. The growth of Aquis since its inception in 2015 to what it is today is phenomenal and the future is indeed very bright.

TH: Who is your favourite of the Aquis stallions?

JU: I would have to pick Spieth. I loved the horse as a racehorse and although he is not a Group 1 winner, he came very close to winning two and because I breed my own mares, I have always believed in breeding for value. If he won those two Group 1s that he lost by a lip he would be a A$40,000 stallion–he stands at A$15,000. I know he is a Group 1 horse even though it might not be reflected on his CV, and you breed for ability if you're trying to breed racehorses. He has a strong physical, is a fluid mover and has a presence about him–just a wonderful athlete.

TH: Why did you choose to set yourself up in Australia as opposed to going back to America?

JU: My first ever visit to Australia was with the Flying Start and what really got me here was the racing. Horse racing is more in the fabric of society here and that's what makes it mainstream. It's amazing the number of young people that go to the races and follow the sport in Australia. Everyone here can talk to you about racing or horses in some form or other. So I knew I loved it here but it was actually John Ferguson, my mentor, who pushed me to go to Australia after I graduated from the Flying Start. I will always be thankful to him for that. As long as you are willing to work hard, you will get your opportunities here. What people achieve in their 30s and 40s in Australia is very hard to do anywhere else. I also breed a number of my own mares and trade bloodstock alongside by job and I don't think I would be able to do that anywhere else.

TH: What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for the Flying Start?

JU: I would say don't be shy and definitely apply. When I first got on the course I didn't know what I wanted to do–bloodstock wasn't even on my radar. I was more geared to be a trainer. If it wasn't for the course I would never have explored that avenue. It's amazing how the course lets you experience all areas of the industry and that gives you direction for your career. Flying Start was the best thing that happened to me and I will always be hugely grateful to HH Sheikh Mohammed for the opportunity.