Punjalkatte : Former kambala jockey Jaya Shetty (65) died at a Mangaluru private hospital on June 27.

Known for his stellar performance as a kambala jockey, Shetty has won several awards for his unique achievements in the field.

He started jockeying in the early 1970s with the buffaloes of Kakkyapadavu Dikkayya Poojary. Later, he jockeyed the buffaloes of Kadabettu D Narayana Rai.

He remained at the top of his game for almost one and a half decades.

Shetty was also the chairman of the Jeernodhara Samiit of the Kakkyabidu Sri Pancha Durgarapameshwari Temple for 5 years, a member of the Sri Panchadurga High School’s Development Committee and the director of the Uli Seva Co-operative Society.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters.