In a thrilling finale, Shane Ellis atop Crown Chaser delivered on his promise to win the 2024 Jamaica Derby Classic in a heart-stopping, neck-and-neck finish on Tuesday, August 6.

The Anthony Nunes-trained colt unleashed a blistering late charge on the inside rails in deep stretch, crossing the line a mere half-length ahead of Run Julie Run and stablemate Captain Sparrow.

Ellis’ confidence had grown after Crown Chaser’s second-place finish in the Jamaica St Leger, and he knew the extra two furlongs would play to his horse’s strengths. And so, it was said, and so it was done.

The 4-5 favourite, Intrestntimesahead, who won the Jamaica St Leger, completed the frame, but it was Crown Chaser’s day to shine. Owned by Chevan Maharaj, the colt stopped the clock in 2:38.0, cementing his position as the top native-bred three-year-old.

As the crowd erupted in cheers, Ellis and Nunes celebrated a triumphant moment, the result of dedication, skill, and a deep understanding between horse and rider. Crown Chaser’s electrifying performance will be etched in the memories of racing fans for a long time to come.

“Well, there’s nothing much to tell because I had it [Jamaica Derby] covered,” Ellis told the
Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“From I rode him [Crown Chaser] in the St Leger, I came back and told the owner that I cannot lose the Derby. Even when I pulled up in the St Leger, I told Tevin Foster, who won aboard
Intrestntimesahead, that he cannot beat me in the Derby and he was saying I am crazy.

“Anyways, the owner [Chevan Maharaj] asked me to stay back and so I stayed back and I got to know the horse much better. I teached him what he needs to be taught and took it from there. I want to win another Derby and that will make me come back here to ride and of course, Chevan Maharaj,” Ellis said.

He added: “I am coming back here for the Mouttet Mile in December. Chevan Maharaj is going to have a horse for the Mouttet Mile and so I will be back for it.”

Ellis rode his seventh Jamaica Derby winner, building on his previous victories aboard
Awesome Power (2001), Typewriter (2012), Relampago (2014), Orpheus (2016), Supreme Soul (2019), and Calculus (2021).

“I really needed this one,” Ellis said.

“This was my seventh Derby win and I think I am the only one that had won so many Derby races. I also think we are the only owner/jockey combination to win three Derby races in the past five years,” Ellis said.