After a successful short riding stint in Canada, three-time and defending champion jockey Dane Nelson is set to arrive in the island later today.

Nelson, who departed Jamaica on May 27, 2015, was scheduled to return home on September 8 but his contract was extended, thus delaying his arrival.

Nelson said that the experience riding in Canada was invaluable.

“I am happy that I am coming as I missed Caymanas Park a lot. Well, it was good experience riding overseas as this is a major boost to my career. Riding among different jockeys from all over and learning new tactics will surely help in my development,” Nelson said.

Nelson’s career in Canada reads: 48 winners, 45 second-place finishes, 32 thirds from 237 rides, with earnings of CAN$455,293. Based on earnings, Nelson is ranked at 406 out of 1,523 jockeys riding in North America (USA, Canada and Puerto Rico).

Forty-two of Nelson’s winners came at the Assiniboia Downs racetrack in Winnipeg, where he finished fifth in the jockey standing behind runaway winner and fellow Jamaican Chavion Chow. Nelson left Assiniboia Downs with five race days remaining in the four-month season.

Nelson’s other winners came at Northlands Park racetrack in Alberta and a track in Toronto.

“Opportunity comes once in a lifetime, and every one that I get I am going to take it and make full use of it. It has been a great time in Canada and I think as a rider I have improved a lot,” the champion jockey said. Nelson has secured a contract to ride at Northlands Park next year.

In addition to Canada, Nelson rode five winners in Trinidad and Tobago last year and 849 winners at Caymanas Park to push his lifetime career total to 902 winners both locally and internationally.

PHOTO: NELSON DANE AUGUST 16 – 3

CAPTION – NELSON… opportunity comes once in a lifetime, and every one that I get I am going to take it and make full use of it.