A proud Romario Smith rode his first winner when he brought home 2-1 favourite First ‘K’ Boy to victory on Saturday at Caymanas Park.

“One swallow does not make a summer. This is just the first step of a journey that I set out to travel but getting there will not be easy. I am aware that it will take some time, and that journey is to one day end by becoming a champion rider.

“I am now 20 years old and have been around horses, on and off, for eight to nine years.

“However, over the past three years, I took a decision to devote some quality time, energy and patience to become a jockey. During my time in preparing, I had the chance of exercising horses for trainers Wayne DaCosta, Philip Feanny and Anthony Nunes, to name a few, and that level of exposure has paid off with a first win.

“It is not the top of the mountain but a confidence builder that raises possibilities in me in a manner that will keep me focused to strive for my dream. What this first victory says to me is to continue doing my w9ork and train even harder.”

Commenting on the race itself, Smith, the man who hails from Delacree Park in Kingston but now lives in the Marverley area said: “I felt very confident going into this race. I followed my trainer’s instructions – that is, get a clean break, relax the horse until the last two furlongs before giving him his reins and he will do the rest. That I did and it paid off. The win makes me proud of the effort. For this opportunity and encouragement, much thanks must go to trainer Lincoln Lungs.”

During his first years at the track Smith devoted his time like his father jumping around as a groom but he did not want to be a groom. Nevertheless, he said those formative years spent being a groom taught him “a great deal about horses”, knowledge he hopes will come in handy as a jockey.