Jockey Ansley Dancel says he has overcome adversity and persevered through challenges, including a three-year stint in Saint Lucia that ended with the closure of the racetrack, to rediscover his passion and to refocus on his riding career in Jamaica.

Dancel’s weight issues had threatened to derail his career, but with a newfound commitment to his fitness and a fresh start in Jamaica, he has been able to get his weight under control and is now ready to take his riding to the next level.

“My weight was a problem, and I was trying to get back on track. It took time to get my weight down, but I’m pleased with my progress,” Dancel told the
Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

With the support of top trainers like Philip Feanny and Randolph Scott, Dancel is confident that he has the skills and determination to succeed in the competitive arena of horse racing.

“I am here working with my trainer Randolph Scott, Philip Feanny and other trainers. Every morning, I reach the track by the latest 4.30 am to put in the hard work. I want to continue to work on my weight issues because I have to maintain it.

“Scott really wants me to manage my weight as I will surely get the rides and to be able to showcase my talent. I have a good agent in ‘Silly’ and he is doing a good job,” Dancel said.

Dancel moved to Saint Lucia in 2018 to pursue a new opportunity.

He was transferred to work with a Chinese company, significantly changing his career trajectory.

“I saw that a racetrack was being built in Saint Lucia. I liked how the racetrack was built and so I decided that I wanted to go there. I checked trainer Anthony Nunes and he was the one who got me over there. I was supposed to work with Mr Nunes but at the time, he transferred me to the Chinese company,” Dancel explained.

During his time in Saint Lucia, Dancel worked as an exercise rider, earning a monthly salary that allowed him to support his family.

Although he didn’t get to ride competitively due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, he appreciated the opportunity to gain experience.

“I mainly exercise horses over there. We have a monthly salary and so I stuck to the salary, because at that time, that salary was much better than riding out here in Jamaica.

“The time that I was going to make my debut, I was nominated on five horses that day. But because of the spread of the coronavirus, everything crashed off and so I came back to Jamaica in 2022 just to get back together,” he affirmed.