Amid the clatter of horses’ hooves, the scent of stables and the quiet routines repeated each day, victories are forged far from the camera lenses. In this world lives Ahmed bin Ibrahim al Balushi, a speed racing trainer who did not choose coaching as a profession so much as a way of life.
“My journey with horses was not just a job, but a school where I learned patience, discipline and commitment,” Ahmed said. “Every horse I trained left a new lesson within me.”
Since 2010, he has dedicated himself to speed racing, moving between local and international competitions. Today, he supervises the training of around 16 horses, adding to the many that have passed under his care throughout his career.
Ahmed believes every horse presents a different challenge. Success, he said, does not come from following a single training method but from understanding each horse’s personality, abilities and needs.
The defining moment of his career came in 2026 when he made history as the first Omani trainer to win the Dubai Kahayla Classic, one of the world’s most prestigious Group 1 races for purebred Arabian horses, held during Dubai World Cup night at Meydan Racecourse.
Although a race is decided within minutes, Ahmed insists the real competition begins months beforehand.
“The preparation programme depends on the horse’s age, experience and physical condition,” he explained. “We start by building basic fitness before gradually increasing the workload until the horse is fully prepared for the target race.”
He added: “The difference between winning and losing can be fractions of a second, so the horse needs complete physical and psychological preparation, while the trainer must accurately understand the horse’s abilities and the nature of the race. In speed racing, every small detail matters.”
When selecting a horse for competition, Ahmed looks beyond pedigree. He carefully evaluates its physical condition, speed, heart and lung efficiency, endurance and, perhaps most importantly, its willingness to compete.
“A trainer may own a horse from the finest bloodlines, but without proper training and management it will never achieve the desired results,” he said. “A champion is made through both genetics and preparation.”
Behind every victory lies a unique relationship between trainer and horse, one built not through words, but through patience, trust and daily interaction.
“Horses are affected by the atmosphere around them and respond to the energy of the people they are with,” Ahmed said. “When a horse feels safe and confident, it is reflected in its performance. Before every race, I maintain a consistent routine and avoid unnecessary tension.”
He applies the same discipline to himself. “I review the training plan and every detail related to the horse and the race, and I remain calm regardless of how important the competition is.”
For Ahmed, the most difficult moments are not defeats but injuries. An injured horse preparing for a major race can mean rebuilding months of planning or postponing a long-awaited dream. Even so, he views losses as opportunities to improve.
“After every race we don’t win, I analyse the performance, identify the reasons and learn from the mistakes. That’s the only way to progress.”
Ahmed believes Omani equestrianism has made remarkable strides in recent years, with stronger horses, owners and trainers earning greater recognition regionally and internationally. He is equally encouraged by the growing interest among young Omanis, though he reminds them that success demands patience, continuous learning and perseverance.
His own journey began in childhood in a family where a love of horses was passed down through generations. The turning point came while accompanying his older brother, also a trainer, to the stables.
“Those daily visits were the beginning of a passion that grew beyond admiration into a constant desire to learn, research and understand this world in all its details,” he said.
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