Apprentice Fikri Ismail’s victory astride Yes Boss Yes in the Visit Malaysia – Sarawak – Sarawak River Sunset Cruise Stakes at Sungai Besi today will be talked about by the racing fraternity for months and perhaps years to come.

The fact that he managed to win the Restricted Maiden race without his feet in the irons was simply amazing and perhaps unprecedented in any racing jurisdiction.

Yes Boss Yes, who found one to beat in both his previous two starts, started odds-on favourite and led all the way in the 1200m sprint.

Fikri explained that upon jumping, his right side stirrup iron was dislodged from its intended placement. This resulted in his foot being dislodged from his right side iron.

Upon ascertaining that he would be unable to regain his right side iron in the desired position, he elected to remove his foot from the left side iron and rode the remainder of the race without both irons. 

The saddle and gear of Fikri was immediately impounded when he dismounted from Yes Boss Yes after the race. Following an inspection, the Stewards confirmed that the right side stirrup leather had been displaced and was defective. His gear was subsequently confiscated and Fikri was issued with a fine of RM1,000.

Whilst the Stewards noted that the horse won the race, they were of the view that Fikri should not have placed himself in such a situation to begin with, in that there was a failure on his part to adequately check his gear prior to the start of the race and provide gear which was of the required standard.

Fikri said he had experience riding in such manner.

“I managed to ride because I often rode bare-back from the age of seven in Kelantan,” said Fikri.

“It wasn’t a big issue.

“In the straight, I just held out as much as I could.”

Yes Boss Yes, who landed unraced, finished 1-1/4 lengths ahead of the second favourite Mega Captain.