SABELLE Lonjuing Sayeed has done the nation proud by becoming the youngest racehorse trainer in the world.
The Royal Sabah Turf Club (RSTC) issued Isabelle a licence as a professional trainer and stable agent on Nov 26.
At just twelve years and four months, Isabelle eclipses the record of Bailey Rogerson, who started training in New Zealand at the age of sixteen.
Isabelle, the daughter of polo player Adil Ghulam and granddaughter of Datuk Seri Dr Ghulam Sayeed, started riding at Glenora Stables in Kinarut, Sabah, when she was five years old.
When she was in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year, Isabelle had lessons at KL Academy of Polo with Peter Abisheganaden, who she now counts as a mentor.
Isabelle has since become an accomplished polo player handicapped by the Sabah Polo Association.
She is now the captain of Sabah’s first female polo team, El Venato Polo Team.
Susan tutored Isabelle in an intensive course on all aspects of stable and horse management, and racehorse training, as she prepared to take the trainer’s test with the RSTC.
Isabelle is also a qualified race starter, barrier tester and nutritionist.
John Gorton, the director of Racing at RSTC, was the tester who granted her a licence.
Isabelle said, “I am humbled to be the youngest licensed horse trainer in the world. I know the path is not easy, but I am ready to meet the challenges ahead.”