RETIRED jockey Amaralli "Gigolo" Mohammed, aged 78, died at his sister's Marabella home on Wednesday from heart failure.
The father of two will be buried according to Muslim rites today. His funeral service will be held at the Marabella Mosque from 2 p.m.
Gigolo started his riding career at the age of 14, and hung up his riding boots at 50. He is the brother of former riding school tutor, Shaffick "Gigs" Mohammed.
Gigolo was best remembered as the best hand rider in a finish. He was tutored by trainer Leo "Lad" Williams, and finished second in his first start.
Gigolo's brother, Hashim said one of his favourite horses was the speedy Pinquiry, and his first success was aboard Nan Tudor in 1950 on the old Santa Rosa Park "Hoop" track.
Gigolo's nephew, Randall Mohammed recalled: "I saw him ride in a couple races, and one of the memorable ones was in his comeback ride aboard Freedom Fighter for the late Ricky Sinanan, finishing second, beaten by Gentle King ridden by Venice Richards.
"One of his main rivals was Chally Jones. They weren't enemies, but he will always threaten Chally, and tell him 'I better than you and I will beat you anytime I catch you in a finish'.
"From the racing fraternity, as a little boy growing up, he was known as the best hand riding jockey. I never heard of his name in the big stake races, but listening to him, he believed in his era he suffered because of his ethnicity, and probably that is why he was 'mannish' and rebellious, but not against the law or rules."
Former jockey, Vernon "Mal" Lewis, who rode alongside Gigolo, said: "He was a good rider, he won a couple of races well. He was a very good hand rider. When he catch you in a finish and his horse could finish you cannot get away, he will beat you. He beat a lot of good riders in the finish.
"One of the best horses he rode was for Mrs Mendez, named Perry. He won some very good races. He was in the top bracket among the best jockeys at that time."
Former trainer Joe Hadeed recalled: "I knew him for years, he used to ride for trainer O. P. Bennett. He rode several good horses. He had a few clashes with the authorities, but was a nice, jovial fellow. I got on well with him. He was very popular, and was a good jockey, but for some reason he used to be on the other side of the rules.
"He was based in Union Park, and stopped riding not too long after I started to train. He was a good horseman and a good judge from all accounts. It is a big loss. He was a stalwart, and when we lose somebody like that a lot of history goes with them," Hadeed said. –Glen Mohammed
