WITH over 20 years of experience in the racing world, 36-year-old Jermaine Lewis is no rookie. He has spent all that time honing his craft, learning from the best, and perfecting his technique. But despite his extensive background he has never felt more prepared to take his career to the next level.

On Saturday, August 31, 2024 Lewis, again, put on a display of skills and talent when he won aboard Handyman in Division One of Jamaica Racing Commission’s (JRC) Jockeys’ Training School Race #2.

The race was a maiden special weight event for native-bred four-year-olds and upward over 5½ furlongs (1,100m).

Lewis brought the Lorenzo Robinson-bred, -owned, and -trained Handyman from far behind competitors to beat Esuse Me Goodbye (Evertte Clunis) and You and I (Romane Gordon) by 2¼ lengths in a time of 1:14.4 (24.3 x 51.1 x 1:06.3).

Now with his mind sharpened and his body honed, Lewis said he is eager to prove himself as a skilled jockey.

“I need to come make my name in racing,” Lewis told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“My dream is to become a jockey, and even if I don’t have plenty of time in the sport because of my age, I want people to remember me — even to win a couple of jockeys’ championship titles. I am in racing from a very long time and I believe it is my time now,” Lewis stated firmely.

Commenting on the win aboard Handyman, a four-year-old chestnut colt bred by
Freedom for Jante – Emmveepee, Lewis said he is grateful for everything and for the opportunity given to him.

“I am grateful, I am happy. I have been putting in the hard work and I am just happy it has paid off,” said Lewis.

“I am more seasoned than most of the riders as I have been in the game for a very long time and so I am always confident in myself to do my best.

“I worked this horse couple of times already but the workouts weren’t solid but I told myself that, ‘We can win this race once everything was good,’ and we did. And give God thanks and to the connections as well,” he added.

Meanwhile, Division Two of the JRC Jockeys’ Training School Race #2 was won by
Casual Treasure, with Shayne Martin in the saddle.

Trained by Renex Burrell, Casual Treasure won the race by a nose ahead of Cassini (Demar Williams). Select Prince (Eric Haughton) finished third as the final time was recorded at 1:11.2 (23.4 x 48.4).