A combination of fate, hard work, and determination led apprentice jockey Romane Gordon to his maiden victory aboard James at Caymanas Park on Saturday, February 1, 2025.

Trained by seasoned conditioner Spencer Chung, James proved to be the perfect mount for Gordon as the pair cruised to an easy 3¾-length victory at the wire. The race was a Restricted Allowance III contest for native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of four) and imported five-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) over 6½ furlongs (1,300m).

MPRS Links (Dane Dawkins) finished second and Huntsman (Rotajmar Weir) finished third. The final time for the race was 1:21.1 (23.3 x 47.3 x 1:14.1).

The win was a testament to Gordon’s growth and development as a jockey, and marked a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.

Overcome with emotion, Gordon shared his thoughts on the monumental achievement.

“It’s a very elated feeling, a very overwhelming feeling. I just want to thank Mr Spencer Chung for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to ride James again,” Gordon told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

Gordon revealed that he had ridden James previously, but a poor start had resulted in a fifth-place finish. However, with the guidance of champion jockey Raddesh Roman, who was initially slated to ride James but had two first-choice mount in the race, Gordon was able to redeem himself.

“I rode him [James] the first time and I came in fifth position. I blew that chance because I broke him badly. To be honest, Raddesh Roman was supposed to ride this horse but he was nominated on two horses with paper one [first choices] and eventually I got the ride from Mr Chung.

“Roman instructed me from the day before on how to ride James, and I’m grateful for his advice. I followed his instructions, and it paid off,” Gordon said.

Gordon also expressed his gratitude to his family, particularly his father, Everton Gordon, who has been a constant source of support and encouragement throughout his career.

“My family has a rich history in horse racing, with Garfield Gordon and Anthony Allen also involved in the industry. I’m proud to be carrying on that tradition. I also want to thank my father who believed in me to push me this far,” he said.

Hailing from Spanish Town, he has to commute to Caymanas Park, taking two vehicles to reach his destination. His dedication and perseverance were evident as he spoke about his daily routine.

“I’m one of the first apprentice jockeys to arrive at work, getting here before 5:00 am. I’m committed to putting in the hard work and dedication required to succeed in this sport,” Gordon said.

With his maiden victory now under his belt, Gordon is eager to continue pushing himself to be the best he can be. “I’m going to keep working hard and striving for greatness. I hope trainers will take notice of my talent and give me more opportunities to ride,” he said.

As Gordon celebrates this milestone achievement, the racing fraternity is abuzz with excitement, eager to see what the future holds for this talented young jockey. With his determination, passion, and natural ability, Romane Gordon is certainly one to watch.