Caymanas Park was lit up by the bright lights yesterday of most of the young apprentices who were beginning their racing careers after six months of intense training at the Jamaica Racing Commission’s Jockeys Training School, and when Tevin Foster and Christopher brought home quick winners their lights shone even brighter.

Yet the apprentices had to yield, as they were overshadowed in the spotlight by champion jockey Omar “Champion” Walker who had the unique distinction of riding his 1000th career winner when he piloted the Wayne DaCosta-trained Without Exception to a fighting victory in the day’s seventh event.

Walker, who last year became the first jockey in local racing to win the championship title six times, is now rubbing shoulders with the likes of Winston “Fanna” Griffiths, Trevor “Slicer” Simpson, Andrew “Narry” Ramgeet, Charles “Bogle Man” Hussey, Shane “Canterman” Ellis and Emilio “Bimbo” Rodriquez.

Walker started the day on 997 winners and then set about achieving his personal goal of reaching 1000 winners, by taking the first race on Mr Lyndhurst for trainer Ryan Darby. Walker’s second triumph followed fairly quickly in the fifth aboard Call To Duty trained by Leroy Francis – to make it winner number 999.

Then in the seventh the magical number was reached in another fine and calculating display of his ‘reinsmanship’ atop Without Exception.

“This is a milestone achievement for me. The road to 1000 winners has been a long and rough one. I have had several injury setbacks and thanks be to God, I have been able to get back in the saddle and still perform.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the many years I have been riding especially my family members who have always been there for me, the many trainers who have helped me over the years — in short, just everyone,” a champagne filled Walker said.

Foster became the first of the new apprentices to win a race as he brought home Milagro in the second event with a good run to beat Princess Statistics and Teisha’s Dream after being prominent throughout.

Mamdeen quickly followed in the third when after going wide was able to steady the Renex Burrell trained Crucial Treasure for the win.