Romario Saunders, one of many Jamaican jockeys currently riding in Canada, is clocking in the hours, while gaining valuable experience and some success at the Hastings racetrack in Vancouver.

Saunders has so far ridden eight winners from 46 mounts and is now eighth in the jockeys’ standing since he started riding at Hastings in April of this year.

The 22-year-old Saunders described as “priceless” the experience of riding overseas for the first time in his career, which began in 2012.

“I left Caymanas Park to better myself as a rider and since I came to Canada things have been going fairly well for me.

“My riding skills have improved, as I am riding against some good international jockeys and I am learning a lot from them.

“The experience so far has been wonderful…it has been great.

“I have met a lot of people and they have been treating me good, so for me, this experience is priceless,” Saunders told the

Complete Racing Guide in a telephone interview.

Saunders said that the opportunity given to him by Hastings trainer Jodie Rawson, has been the catalyst to his success.

“I was invited to ride at Hastings by trainer Rawson and I just want to thank her for this rare opportunity.

“This break into a new environment has made me a better person; it has made me a better rider.

“I am now riding much tighter coming around the bend, and moreover I am learning how to better position horses throughout a race, as well as the timing of the runs that I make.

“I think I have been going from strength to strength.

“I am also happy that I can be among the winners.

“It feels so good to win races overseas, so I must be grateful for everything,” he said.

The Calabar High School past student gave his view on the racetrack itself.

“The racetrack here is pretty… it is quite beautiful.

“However, it is a lot smaller when compared with Caymanas Park and the turns are much sharper.

“Hastings is a very nice track and I like riding here; although there is no turf track to experience, the racing surface is good.

“Hastings is a seven-furlong track and the races are always run on time.

“Time is very important to them and the purse money is great as well. The lowest purse for a race is CAN$11,000 and that is just a normal race, like a $180,000 claiming race at Caymanas Park, and the purses go up to CAN$75,000 for Stakes races.

“I will be back at Caymanas Park in October during the winter break at Hastings,” Saunders informed.

He got a scare a week and a half ago when he fell from his mount Power To Believe in deep stretch.

He was taken to hospital by medical personnel where it was discovered that he had a fractured bone in his back which necessitated a cast being put on his neck.

Saunders said that he will be back in the saddle for the August 1 British Columbia Race Day.

“The doctor told me that it is nothing too serious, only a fractured bone.

“I had a cracked bone in my back and I was feeling some pain in my neck.

“The most important thing is that I will be ready for the saddle for the August 1 race meet,” he said.