Good experience riding in Trinidad — Omar Walker
FORMER four-time champion jockey Omar Walker, who was selected along with Shane Ellis to ride in Trinidad and Tobago as a part of the jockeys’ challenge championship, said that it was a great experience riding at the Santa Rosa racetrack.
“It was a great and lovely experience riding in Trinidad for the first time in my career. I thank Chris Armond for the invitation to ride there as it was a memorable moment for me,” Walker told the Complete Racing Guide.
While in Trinidad, Walker was able to ride alongside top-notch jockeys such as Frankie Dettori.
“It is always good to do things for the first and to meet people for the first time as well as to get to know places,” the former champion said.
Walker, who returned home last week Sunday, said that he will always be available to ride overseas.
“There are a lot of people who love horse racing. People overseas are very friendly. Any opportunity to go abroad to ride I will accept, as it can only benefit me in becoming a better rider. The more opportunities mean more experience, which means a better rider as you will learn more techniques,” he explained.
Walker also shared his view on riding on the turf for the first time in his career.
“Well, the turf was wet due to rain so I don’t really have any experience riding on it naturally, but what I can tell you is that the race track is much smaller than the one out here (Caymanas Park) and their corners are much sharper, but overall a good track to ride on,” he noted.
The Bridgeport High School student, who secured four rides on the nine-race programme, wasted no time finding the winners’ enclosure as he guided the Fitzroy Glispie-trained Timeforarms to victory in the Seymour ‘Foggy’ Memorial Trophy going over 1,500 metres.
“The plan was to get a clean break and keep near the pace and just move at the half mile. This horse is much better than the field,” said Walker.