After reaching the historic landmark of 1,200 winners last Saturday January 12, 2019, the sky is still the limit for former champion jockey, Shane Ellis.

“Overall, my riding career has been good. I mean, if I was here, remember, I didn’t ride in Jamaica for a number of years as I was in Canada riding, maybe I would have won even 400 or 500 more races.

“I have had some great moments and if all remains well, I hope for some more winners as well. I have ridden some top horses from the top barns in this country. The likes of Saint Cecelia, Typewriter, RonRon, I mean horses like those are very good, Awesome Power is included as well. For this year, and the next years to come, I just want to win a lot of races, maybe, just maybe, I can ride another 1,200 winners,” Ellis declared shortly after his major accomplishment.

Without a doubt one of the better, capable and dependable riders over the years at Caymanas Park is Shane Ellis, or the “Canter Man” as he is popularly called, reached his milestone when he won aboard the Anthony Nunes-trained Supreme Soul in the fifth race. Supreme Soul, a three-year-old chestnut colt by Soul Warrior – Beware Baby, won by 8 1/2 lengths going 7 furlongs (1,400m) in a decent time of 1:26.0.

The man from Purple Island in Westmoreland thus became the fourth jockey in the history of thoroughbred racing in Jamaica to bring home 1,200 or more races. Winton “Fanna” Griffiths (1663 wins) Trevor “Slicer” Simpson (1473 wins) and Charles “Bogle Man” Hussey (1239 wins) have won more races than Ellis.

Ellis, who had started the day on 1,198 wins, rode Balazo to victory in the second race over the five straight (1,000) course to set the stage for his historic landmark.

“Very good. Good to achieve a milestone like this. I mean, 1,200 wins is a great accomplishment. I have to thank everyone that is behind me from the start of my career to now,” Ellis told the Supreme Racing Guide.

Looking back from his first winner aboard Award The Star to the present, Ellis said that while there have been some ups and downs, his career overall has been a great one and is one that he cannot complain about.

Ellis said that his mother has been the greatest influence on his career.

“My mother was my greatest influence. She did everything towards me becoming a jockey. She even found ways and means of me shedding weight to make the weight when it was compulsory for me to make a specific target by putting me in a barrel and throwing clothes on me for a given time and while in that barrel would say to me if you feel like you are stifling don’t be afraid to call for I will have an open ear,” he ended.