American-based jockey Shaun Bridgmohan is expected to make a successful debut on home soil when he partners with the Philip Feanny-conditioned Fearless Soul in Division One of the $780,000 George HoSang Trophy on the nine-card today.

Bridgmohan, who was born in Spanish Town, St Catherine, on June 24, 1979, has recorded 3,399 winners, 3,129 second-place finishes, and 2,853 thirds from 22,322 mounts with earnings of US$143,715,470 in North America.

Bridgmohan’s family immigrated to the United States when he was 13 years old, residing in South Florida, where he became interested in horse racing. Before becoming a jockey, while still in school, he worked as a hot walker, groom, and exercise rider at a Florida racecourse. He pursued a riding career after graduating from high school, and his first win came in August 1997 at Calder Race Course.

On February 15, 1998, he won six races on a single card at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York, marking his breakthrough year as the Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey.

On December 22, 2007, he won six races on the same card, this time at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. On April 1, 2017, he achieved his 3,000th victory.

Bridgmohan is to also attend a fund-raiser for the Jamaica Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation (JTHF) on Monday at the Jamaica Officers’ Club at Up Park Camp on Monday, February 5. He will be a guest speaker at the event. Veterans George HoSang and Emilio Rodriguez will also be in attendance, as will Winston Griffiths, Charles Hussey, Omar Walker, and Trevor Simpson.

Meanwhile, Bridgmohan couldn’t have asked for a finer debut ride than
Fearless Soul, a four-year-old chestnut colt who should easily outperform the other runners.
Fearless Soul, the even money favourite at the races on January 28, placed fourth behind
Wow How over seven furlongs (1,400 metres). Returning fast with an equipment change while the blinkers are off,
Fearless Soul should easily defeat adversaries here.

Strike Smart, Loyal Action, California Gold, and
Royal Ash should be bang in contention for the minor shares of the purse.

The Restricted Allowance IV contest for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) and imported four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) will run over five and a half furlongs (1,100m). The race is set to go off at 3:50 pm with first post at 12 noon.

Division Two should be a more competitive competition, with
Bazinga, Eazy Peazy, Kem, Princess Akilah, and
Flybluejet as the leading contenders.

Kem, who has recently shown good pace in her races, was able to take the lead and proved difficult to catch. On December 17, 2023, the four-year-old chestnut horse led from start to finish over six furlongs (1,200m), winning by a length in 1:14.0. If he can repeat that effort, he should win.

Also on tap is the $1.05-million Eight Thirty Sprint, which marks the official commencement of the native-bred three-year-old campaign leading up to the Triple Crown series of races.

The maiden special weight contest, confined to fillies only, has attracted a field of seven runners and will run over 5 furlongs (1,000m) straight.

The trio of A
nother Mission, Speed on Wheels, and
Kencia should fight out the finish.

Another Mission (
Bern Identity – Moonlight Brew) is a full-sister to
Perfect Brew.
Another Mission has been working very well coming into this trophy race, and by all indications, she is poised to open her account right away.

Speed on Wheels (
Spieth – Wheels of Law) is a nicely bred runner who also makes a favourable debut here.
Speed on Wheels has been moving nicely in the mornings and is expected to run accordingly here.

Kencia has already a run under her girth. She came home in third place on debut behind stablemate
Oh So Smart and
Brownie Brown on December 10 over four furlongs.
Kencia has been training well since and with improvement expected, she should be challenging for top honours here.

— Ruddy Allen

Ones to watch:

Race 1)
Rum With Me/Wayne’s Princess/Wilson

Race 2)
Storm A Come/Four Fiver/Premier Identity

Race 3)
Kencia/Another Mission/Speed on Wheels

Race 4)
She’s A Godgift/Cryptogirl/Riches to Rags

Race 5)
Bern Notice/Curlin’s Affair/Big Jule

Race 6)
My Smokey/Smoke Haze/Rashid

Race 7)
Fearless Soul/California Gold/Royal Ash

Race 8)
Kem/Princess Akilah/Bazinga

Race 9)
Life Is Life/Watermelon John/Rose Apple