THE 2024 Jamaica Racing Commission Jockeys’ Training Programme graduates continue to make a huge impression in the local jockey colony. In addition to their skills, the nine-plus-pound claiming allowance is proving to be a significant factor as they continue to rack up many successes each race day.

More than a few of the trainers and owners have rewarded the early promise of Demar Williams, Richie Shakes, Tajay Suckoo, Tyreese Anderson and Eric Haughton.

Meanwhile Shane Richardson, Shavon Townsend and Richard Henry are quite accomplished older graduates of JRCRS but are still able to claim 5lb in the case of the first two, and 7lb in the case of Henry. As things stand, former champions Trevor Simpson, Shane Ellis, Omar Walker, Dick Cardenas, Christopher Mamdeen, Dane Dawkins and Reyan Lewis, along with the reigning Raddesh Roman, are available as well as the very popular Tevin Foster and Robert Halledeen.

Over the last three years the number of races declined by 95, with less than 10 races and less than 100 runners per programme. Given the horse population available and not expected to improve in 2025, there will be a scramble for competitive mounts and the spread of available riding commission income will inevitably be more widely distributed.

Trained by Lawrence Freemantle and partnered by claiming reinsman Eric Haughton, Solo Black, after being able to see all his rivals for the first two furlongs, came with a strong late run against the far rails to score by just over one length in the opening event over seven furlongs. Also owned by Freemantle, the dark bay Northern Giant colt won at 10-1 two weeks prior and on this occasion rewarded his backers generously at 5-1 for each $100 win ticket.

Tyrese Anderson rode 5-2 bet Sir Ganga Jamuna to win race two, run at five and a half furlongs, for trainer Rohan Mathie. Shavon Townsend replaced Roman on the near two-length US-bred winner Girvano (2-1), who won the seven-furlong race three. This was the first of three for champion trainer Jason DaCosta. Whilst in race four, hard-knocking maiden
Medal Award (6-5) was a two-length winner of the six-furlong race four for trainer David Powell, with Demar Williams at the reins.

Cardenas, the 2011 champion, secured a comfortable two-length victory margin aboard Rhosa The Warrior (4-5), saddled by Alden Francis for the five-furlong straight of race five. Claimer Anthony Allen got She’s Myhedgefund (19-1) to lead at the final stride of the seven-furlong sixth for DaCosta’s second.

The third success for champion conditioner DaCosta was executed in really good style by debutant filly Summer Palace (4-5). She sprinted away from rivals over the five and a half furlongs of race seven, scoring by over seven lengths. This was the first of two wins for reinsman Robert Halledeen who, for his second, piloted owner/trainer Khary Tucker’s Toronado Steel (6-1) to a nose in front at the end of the five furlongs round race 10.

For race eight, Rickie Shakes, riding Neo Star (9-5) in first of the divided featured seven-and-half-furlong Kings Plate, won the event by nearly three lengths for trainer Anthony Nunes. Shakes was the sixth of seven claiming riders enjoying success on the programme of then races. The seventh JRCRS graduate to visit the winners’ enclosure was Tajay Suckoo. He was aboard two-and-half-length winner Mojito (1-1) for trainer Richard Azan in Division Two of the King’s Plate, staged as race nine.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Lawrence Freemantle for the two consecutive victories, with Solo Black delivering the Best Winning Gallop and Eric Haughton taking the Jockeyship Award for his decision-making and timing in what was a hugely competitive race.