ORLANDO ‘Chucky’ Foster, who was nominated for the most improved jockey last season, said that he was happy for the recognition and that he will continue to do the hard work.

Foster rode 28 winners from 224 rides in 2014 to finish 10th in the jockey’s championship behind Dane Nelson after riding nine winners the previous year.

“I feel great as I got recognition for the hard work that I have been putting in of late. But that doesn’t stop right now as I will continue to do the hard work because I want to see my true potential. I want to see the ability that I have inside,” Foster told the Complete Racing Guide.

Foster, who has so far ridden 48 winners in his career and is third among the apprentices behind Shamaree Muir (95) and O’Brien White (54), said that his main goal at the moment is to ride not less than 60 winners in the current year. .

“Last year, I set a target of 60 winners that I wanted to accomplish, but I felt short of that target. This year it is the same procedure, I want to test my ability and achieve that goal of not less than 60 winners for one season,” he said.

“To get to that goal it is going to take a lot of hard work and dedication, but I am committed to doing that right now. I am coming out earlier in the mornings and I am working out more horses as well,” he continued.

The 23-year-old Foster explained that while securing rides is one thing, the aim is to secure more winners from the available rides.

“I am not attached to any one stable as I ride for any trainer willing to offer a ride. So there are no difficulties in getting the rides, but getting the rides and not winning any race is a big issue. Every opportunity I get I just make full use of them, as I have only one thing in mind and that is to win races and a lot of them,” explained Foster, who will turn 24 in March.

Foster, who graduated from the Greater Portmore High School in St Catherine, said that while becoming a jockey was not his first choice he has no regrets in choosing a profession in the horse racing industry.

“I wanted to become a soldier at first, but I got an opportunity in horse racing and I took it and thus far there are no regrets. I must give special thanks to my father (Carlton Foster) who was against my decision becoming a jockey, but still stood by my side and I can say that right now he is very proud of me.

“Trainer Patrick Fong and the late Allan ‘Billy’ Williams really helped me a lot as they were and still are the driving force behind me. I owe everything to them because if they didn’t believe in me and didn’t give me the encouragement I would not be where I am today, a proud apprentice rider, who is reaching for the stars,” he ended.