Apprentice jockey Richie Shakes made a winning debut as a licensed rider, guiding the Fitznahum Williams-conditioned Benson to victory in his very first ride on Saturday, December 28, 2024.

The contest was for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of four) and imported four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) over 5 ½ furlongs.

Benson (Here Comes Ben – First Kiss) made one move to win the race by 7 ¾ lengths in a time of 1:07.0. Lady Abhimala (Tevin Foster) finished second and Flybluejet (Javaniel Patterson) third.

Shakes, who hails from Lionel Town in Clarendon, was overwhelmed with emotion as he celebrated his maiden win.

“I am feeling overwhelming right now after winning my first race as a licensed rider from my very first ride,” Shakes exclaimed. “It is really an emotional feeling right now for me. I have been in the sport for some while now, and during those times, I have been maintaining my fitness and putting in the hard work.”

For 2025, Shakes is determined to keep his focus and continue working hard.

“I am just going to keep my focus, keep training, keep on working hard, come out in the early mornings, and try to work as many horses as possible,” he vowed.

Shakes’s love affair with horse racing began at a young age, courtesy of his father.

“My father was always talking about horse racing, and I decided that I wanted to ride horses,” he recalled.

“He has been always telling me about the horses, and he carried me to the racetrack, and I was at Anthony ‘Baba’ Nunes’ stables for one year, and this was how I got into the game,” said Shakes, who added that he was at Robert Ffrench’s stable before moving to Michael Marlowe’s yard.

Laurence Heffes, the owner of Benson, was instrumental in giving Shakes his first ride. Heffes has been impressed with Shakes’ swork ethic and dedication to his craft.

“He has been working horses at Mickey Marlowe and Fitznahum Williams stables, and I have horses at both stables,” Heffes explained.

“I gave him his first ride, and it turned out to be his first winner. He and Tajay Suckoo have been working my horses both at Marlowe and Williams stables, and I really liked how they handled and cared for the horses,” he added.

Heffes believes that Shakes and Suckoo are two talented young riders with bright futures ahead of them.

“I tried to give them both winning starts, as I gave Suckoo the ride aboard Tigray Express, two race days ago, and he finished second. He rode a good race, and I am proud of these two riders. They are two excellent riders, and you are going to hear a lot of them,” Heffes said.