Thursday, 20 September 2018: Robert ‘Rab’ Havlin sprang a stunning 66-1 upset at his very first ride at an international jockeys’ challenge in South Africa three years ago, but the Scot still believes the luck of the draw is crucial in such events.

Part of a group of six international jockeys who took on the home team, Havlin won at his very first ride on the Fairview programme – on a mare he had no idea about, other than going with her record of one third place in 21 starts, he could safely assume he would see many rears.



But Flightofthefalcon grew wings on that day, and beat the favourite King’s Fire by a pimple.

Havlin did not win again, even aboard better-fancied mounts, and neither did Flightofthefalcon in 32 more starts.



“You need to draw the right horse in jockeys’ series if you want good results,” said Havlin who is one third of Team UK (which also comprises one of England’s most successful female jockeys, Hayley Turner, the captain, and Irishman Fran Berry), one of four teams contesting the inaugural Premier Gateway International (PGI) Jockeys Challenge at Kranji on September 25.



“Mind you, the very first horse I rode at the South Africa International Jockeys’ Challenge in 2015 won at 66-1!



“You need the luck of the draw, but I think that one was just a one-off. I didn’t win again, but I really enjoy such contests.”



Havlin was again invited to the same series the following year, but missed last year’s. With two visits to the Rainbow Nation, Havlin has become a bit of a go-to man when South Africans need someone to carry the Union Jack – he needed little persuasion when PGI and Phumelela Gaming & Leisure came a-calling.



More so that it would this time be staged in Singapore, which is part of a continent the 44-year-old jockey has never taken his saddle to – Asia.



“This will be my first time riding in Asia,” said Havlin whose overseas forays have thus far been mainly restricted across the English channel in European racing centres.



“I’ve heard only good things from jockeys who rode in Singapore. Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and Fergus Sweeney who recently rode there (at the Korea Racing Authority Trophy meeting) all told me it’s got a lovely track and it’s a beautiful place.



“I’ve watched some races on YouTube, and once my rides are out (drawn on Thursday morning), I’ll watch a few more videos in the next couple of days.



“Hayley, Fran and myself arrive in Singapore on Monday morning. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”



Second jockey to leading English trainer John Gosden, Havlin does not often get a chance to be in the limelight. He is the unsung hero who preps up Gosden’s champions like Enable and Golden Horn, only for Dettori to reap the higher rewards.



But don’t think for a second he resents that position. To him, he is still at the coalface and is happy to work behind the scenes while stealing the show once in a while – as recently as July when he won the Group 3 Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on Angel’s Hideaway with Dettori sidelined through suspension.



Havlin, who is married with two daughters, India, 7 and Lucia, 5, loves to win, but he is also fuelled by team spirit, an element which comes even more into play in contests like the PGI Jockeys Challenge.



“I really like jockeys’ series. Racing is generally a sport where it’s everybody for themselves,” he said.



“But in jockeys’ series, there is a strong team spirit and in a way, it’s more like a friendly contest. We feel the defeat as a team, but we are also pleased for the other teammates’ success.



“The other teams are strong, even if personally, I know only Hugh Bowman and Kerrin McEvoy from Team Australia as they’ve ridden in UK.



“I also know the South Africans as I’ve met all three when I rode there, and they’re very good jockeys. I know of the others and I’m pretty familiar with their riding style, but of course, I’ve kept an eye on Joao Moreira as I watch Hong Kong racing.”



Havlin can’t wait to have his first taste of Asian racing at that upcoming Singapore sling, but will be just as keen to head home after the event. A personal best record is in the offing.



“It’s been a very good year for me. I’m in 14th spot on 88 winners and hopefully, I can break 100 for the first time,” he said.



“I won a Group 3 race at Ascot recently, things are going well, and as for the Singapore trip, I just hope I can ride at least one winner.”