DURING his recent visit to Jamaica from Canada, former two-time champion jockey Shane Ellis took time to impart his wisdom to apprentice jockeys in training at Caymanas Park on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

Drawing from his extensive experience in the saddle Ellis shared valuable insights on what it takes to succeed in the profession.

“This profession is not for the faint of heart,” he cautioned.

“There are going to be some good times but, more often than not, there are going to be worse times. The task ahead is not to give up the first time something goes bad — you will not achieve much going in that direction. Instead, continue to work, maintain your weight, and continue to learn,” Ellis told the young apprentices.

Before imparting his wisdom to the next generation Ellis, affectionately known as The Canter Man, made a triumphant return to the winners’ circle on Sunday, July 7, 2024.

Ellis expertly guided Last Dance to a convincing victory in the second race, a native-bred and imported contest for non-winners of two and maidens over five furlongs straight. Trained by Michael Marlowe, Last Dance won by an impressive 6¼ lengths with a time of 1:02.2 (23.2 x 48.0). Adenosine secured second place, followed byAsurety (Roger Hewitt) in third.

“The win was very good; I felt so good. I came back to my country and I won on my second ride of the day. That was so good and I am happy,” Ellis said.

“Well, Mr Marlowe told me that he is putting me on this horse. The horse wasn’t my weight but Marlowe said that I can make it up for the weight because he doesn’t care about weight when I am riding for him,” Ellis added.

He followed up his win atop Last Dance the next day with success on the Welsh Soutar-trained Hedge Craft.