“ A Racing Family from Ceylon “ details the racing talent passed from father to son , and thence to grandson. Each had been a champion trainer several times over, and in 4 different countries.
Arunachalam, abbreviated to Selva, first trained a horse called Joseph in 1928, and took up his trainer’s licence in 1932. Australian jockeys were used bySelva from 1932 onwards.
Selva went to Bombay, India to race as Havelock and Nuwara Eliya Racecourses were requisitioned by the Ceylon Army during World War 2. Selva’s son , Renga joined him in Bombay, India in 1946 . Racing resumed at Colombo, Ceylon on July 12,1947 . Selva returned to Ceylon in 1949, and teamed up with the well -known Australian jockey, Ted Fordyce. ( Dhruba’s Aunt went on to marry Ted Fordyce.)
Renga was granted a trainers licence in 1952; at this time the Australian jockey, Jack Raffaele was attached to the Selvaratnams. Renga was granted a trainer’s licence in Lahore, Pakistan in 1964. Dhruba, his son was enlisted as Renga’s assistant trainer, and later gained his licence in Lahore, Pakistan in 1972. Racing in England and Ireland beckoned for Dhruba.
Dhruba worked first for Ian Balding at Kingsclere , Thames Valley , England and then Vincent O’Brien in County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland.(Eire) . He then went on to work for Robert Armstrong at Newmarket , England. And, finally with Brian Maloney at Ballydoyle, County Tipperary , Republic of Ireland.
Due to the political upheaval in Pakistan, Renga left, in possibly 1979, for Kuwai. He became the trainer to Sheik Khalid Al-Sabah, the younger brother of the ruler of Kuwait.
In 1990, Dhruba was invited by Sheik Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to become his private trainer in Dubai.
Dhruba was charged with setting up a state of the art racecourse and training centre. It was to become Jebel Ali Racecourse. As well, he had to oversee the construction of the racecourse training grounds and stables.
Dhruba was also charged with the concept of handicapping, production of race cards, and any other detail designed to elevate racing in Dubai to international standards.
Dhruba’s first won the United Arab Emirates Trainer Championship in 1993, and then on subsequent occasions. He returned to the Republic of Ireland in 2003 , and returned to Dubai only for winter training for Sheik Ahmed Al Maktoum. In 2017-2018 , Dhruba handed his training stable at Jebel Ali to his brother, Gopi as he returned to the Republic of Ireland to live. Gopi continues to train in Dubai, continuing the family tradition.
Renga retired in 1988, and passed away in 1996 , having trained 3,500 winners in India, Ceylon, Pakistan and Kuwait. This included 32 Classic winners.
The family retained the services of champion English jockey, Lester Piggott on many occasions, as well as many well- known Australian jockeys. This provides a valuable link to our overseas Australian racing history during the 1930’s to possibly the 1960’s .
Information Courtesy of Dhruba Selvaratnam , Republic of Ireland .
Compiled and narrated by Guy St John Williams
“A Racing Family From Ceylon” – Dhruba Selvaratnam published by Daletta Press, Monaterevan, Co. Kildare, Ireland
POST SCRIPT :
*Bill Wade, a well- known Newcastle jockey rode for Selva, Dhruba and Gopi’s grandfather in 1954 in Ceylon . Bill is now 90 years of age, and I have been able to locate Bill through a racing contact. Dhruba and Gopi have been provided with Bill’s contact details. A wonderful connection 65 years later!
*The late John Rincheval , also rode for Selva in Ceylon in 1952. Paul , his son has emailed me a lovely photo from John’s photo album of John riding Ninyas in the 1 mile Sabaragamuwa Plate , Colombo ,Trainer A. Selvaratnam and owner Mr Wijesinghe.
Anne Field
Kogarah , Sydney
June 19 2019
Email contact ko77582@bigpond.net.au
