Tuaran: Malaysia’s youngest horse breeder and owner, 11-year-old Dalia Linda Sayeed made history when her horse ridden by jockey Mohd Fauzi was crowned champion in the Royal Sabah Turf Club (RSTC) weekly race in Kampung Tambalang, Tuaran on September 24.
Dalia, who named her horse ‘Delilah’ bred and trained her horse until it was three years old at the first competition she participated in, is trained by Isabelle Lonjuing Sayeed, who also became the first and youngest female jockey in horse racing in Malaysia.
Isabelle, who is known as a mentor to her students, has also been recognised as the youngest polo captain in Southeast Asia in 2021 in addition having received a professional trainer’s licence and Stable Agent in 2020 from the Royal Sabah Turf Club (RSTC), thus becoming the world’s youngest race horse trainer in 2021.
It is understood that Dalia became interested in horse breeding and training after witnessing the emergence of Isabelle as a woman who made a career as a horse breeder and trainer.
In order to achieve her dream, Dalia, who lives in a village in Penampang district, joined classes under Isabelle’s guidance at ILS Polo Racing And Equestrian Tambalang Sabah, Tuaran for the past three years.
“With Isabelle’s experiences, I started learning about horse riding techniques, horse care and treatment, feeding schedule, fitness training and so on”.
“Since I need to be proficient in all these aspects, I take advantage of every leisure time to face every challenge since it is a tough and risky sport,” she said.
Dalia, who is interested in horse breeding, admitted that she felt lonely after her mother, Linda Anthony died in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In the beginning, I only got a horse to get rid of the loneliness after my mother died and before that, I had kept the desire to own a horse as a pet for a long time”.
“However, since I was introduced to a horse learning class under the guidance of Isabelle, I became interested in training the horse until it was able to be used in horse racing”.
“To some extent, I got to know various parties or fans in horse racing, making me now have more friends,” she said.
Dalia currently attends school at Yue Min National Type (Chinese) School, Penampang.
In addition, Dalia will also join the women’s polo players, thus becoming the youngest female polo player team EL Viento in Sabah who will be trained and guided by coach Isabelle.
For those interested in participating in classes related to husbandry, breeding and horse riding training at ILS Polo Racing Equestrian Tambalang, RSTC Tuaran, contact the management administration at 014-8597667 (Noor Aziah).
