After two years training horses in Saudi Arabia, trainer Jimmy Jerkens is set to return to the United States when his contract ends in two months. Jerkens, a skilled and experienced horse trainer, has decided to resume working at New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks.
Jerkens’ Time in Saudi Arabia
During his stint in Saudi Arabia, Jerkens worked as a private trainer for Prince Faisal bin Khalid Al Saud. In this role, he achieved notable success, securing 21 wins and a solid 16% win rate. Despite these achievements, Jerkens has admitted to feeling homesick and expressed a desire to return to his home country.
One key factor in this decision is that Jerkens’ wife, Shirley, never fully relocated to Saudi Arabia. She was unable to find work or settle into a routine there, leaving her back in the U.S. This separation contributed to Jerkens’ longing to return home.
Challenges in Recent Years
Before moving to Saudi Arabia, Jerkens faced difficulties in his U.S. career. His number of wins dropped significantly, with just four victories in 2021 and ten in 2022. By comparison, Jerkens had six graded-stakes wins in 2019, but his performance declined sharply in 2020, with only one graded-stakes win in both 2020 and 2021. Since then, he has had no graded-stakes victories in the U.S.
Jerkens acknowledged that he doesn’t have a specific plan to rebuild his stable when he returns. However, his prior success and experience may help him re-establish himself in the competitive U.S. racing scene.
Looking Ahead
Jerkens is well-regarded in the horse racing community, and his return to the U.S. is likely to spark interest among racing enthusiasts and professionals. While he will face challenges rebuilding his career, his dedication and proven track record make him a name to watch in the coming years.
As he transitions back to working at NYRA tracks, Jerkens hopes to reconnect with familiar faces and opportunities in the American racing industry. His return highlights the ups and downs of a demanding career in horse racing, where even top trainers face unpredictable changes.
Jimmy Jerkens’ return to the U.S. marks a new chapter in his career after two years abroad. While his time in Saudi Arabia was marked by success, his homesickness and personal challenges played a major role in his decision to come back. With years of experience and past triumphs to his name, Jerkens now faces the task of rebuilding his stable and regaining his footing in the competitive U.S. horse racing world.
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