When did you start your career as a jockey?

I started my career as a jockey in 1986. I got involved in the sport through trainer, Sydney Watson. He was the man that raised me and as such it became automatic for me to go with him to the track in the mornings. Being around Mr Watson and the horses, I got attached to the whole thing and eventually I became a jockey. I really developed a great love for the horses and the sport itself, and Mr Watson knew horses and horse racing very well.

Which horse was your first winner?

My first winner was aboard a horse by the name of Nice Girl. It was a really good feeling when I won my first race and I was really happy. When I started riding it was like, I was a jockey long before because I was riding and working horses like 10 years before I actually got my riding licence. Every time I came to the track to ride, the trainer (Watson) always told me to take my school and schoolwork seriously before I even considered riding racehorses. When I finished school, I went to him and he (Watson) said go. So, I knew how to ride and what to expect, so it was normal for me, but it was a nice feeling to officially win my first race. I will always remember the day I rode Nice Girl to victory…always remember, and of course there were many winners after the first one.

Which horse was your longest odds winner?

he longest odds I won at was at 99-1. At the time the horse paid $500 to win. I can’t really remember the horse’s name though …I am not sure if it was Darlin Anna, but the trainer was Enos Brown. No one gave us a chance, that is why we went off at such long odds, but I wasn’t worried about that or any other thing, as we went into the race with one objective and that was to win, and that is what we did. The feeling was very nice.

Which is the best horse that you have ridden?

The two most successful horses I rode were Distinctive Bingo and Monday Morning. Those horses were two very talented horses but the best horse for me, one that I put in my cabinet, is Pirate King. Although Pirate King did not have the class and talent of Distinctive Bingo or Monday Morning, he was a horse I really enjoyed riding. He was an ‘F’ Class horse, and I won aboard him from five furlongs to 10 furlongs. Every time I wanted some money, I told the trainer to nominate Pirate King in a race and he would never let me down. Not the best, but Pirate King is my personal favourite.

Which is the best horse you have seen race at Caymanas Park?

That is a very difficult question to answer because there are so many talented horses that have raced here at Caymanas Park. I have seen plenty good ones but I can’t put any horse over the mighty Eros. He was a very versatile horse. Eros has so many track records, and in my opinion it will take a very, very special horse to break all the records he (Eros) holds. Eros was also very popular, a real crowd favourite.

Who influenced your career the most?

Actually, everyone has been there for me since I came into the racing industry and so I must give everyone credit for the accomplishments that I have been able to achieve in my career. However, as a rider it would be Emilio Rodriquez, and as a trainer there are Sydney Watson, Alan ‘Billy’ Williams and Wayne DaCosta, just to name a few.