SHANE Ellis, affectionately known as The Canter Man, is a celebrated Jamaican jockey with a storied career marked by numerous accolades and impressive victories.

With a career spanning three decades Ellis has amassed an impressive 1,367 wins, placing him third on the all-time jockey list at Caymanas Park. Only Winston Griffiths, OD (1,663 wins) and Trevor Simpson, OD (1,509 wins) have won more races than Ellis, a two-time champion jockey.

His dedication, hard work, and passion for the sport have earned him numerous honours. Now included on his list of awards is the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service. This announcement was conveyed in the National Honors and Awards Recipients List published on Independence Day (August 6).

“I am very proud of myself. It is a very, very good feeling. This means a lot to me. It means so much and I am very proud,” Ellis told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“I have had a good career throughout from 30 years of riding… I am grateful — give God thanks and praise. I have gotten a lot of injuries but I overcame them and I am very grateful for everything,” he added.

Ellis’s journey began in April 1996, when he started riding professionally. He quickly made a name for himself, winning the Jamaica Oaks as an apprentice in 1997 aboard PW’s Choice, trained by Valbert Marlowe.

This marked the beginning of a remarkable career, filled with milestone wins and memorable moments.

“I started riding April 1996 and won a lot of races as an apprentice. In 1997 I won the Jamaica Oaks as an apprentice — that’s my first Classic race — and from there on the rest is history,” Ellis recalled.

Throughout his career Ellis has won numerous Classic races, including seven Jamaica Derby victories. His winning mounts — Awesome Power, Typewriter, Orpheus, Relampago, Calculus, Supreme Soul, and Crown Chaser — are now part of racing folklore.

“I had only one Triple Crown winner — Supreme Soul in 2019 — but I had a lot of Jamaica Derby winners, a lot of Jamaica St Leger winners, a lot of Guineas winners, as well as Jamaica Oaks winners,” Ellis said. “[There have been] maybe about 25 or 26 Classic races I have won during my career.”

Ellis, who won his first race aboard Award The Star, also cherishes his Jamaica Derby wins and Superstakes victories.

“My most memorable moments are my Jamaica Derby wins as well as the Superstakes wins. The Classic races are memorable moments. I can’t complain about those winners; I am grateful and happy” he said.

Despite facing numerous injuries throughout his career Ellis persevered, crediting his success to hard work and dedication. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to win races,” he emphasised.

Ellis’s experience riding overseas has also been rewarding. “My career riding overseas has been very good as well. During my time in Canada at Woodbine I became the first black jockey to ride three races on the day and win all three. I took a triple on the day,” Ellis proudly remembers.

Based on North American website Equibase, Ellis has won 123 races, finished second 151 times, and came home third on 189 times from 1,718 mounts. He has earned CAD$5,155,744. Ellis rode top horses such as Heyahowdy, Grimer, Sunshine Canyon, Legendary Dancer, and Sundar, among others.

When asked about the best horse he’s ever ridden in Jamaica, Ellis didn’t hesitate.

“The best horse I ever ridden in Jamaica was Saint Cecelia. She has won 14 or 15 Stakes races with the big weight. Sometimes she carried 130lb, 128lb, and so forth. She has won the Jamaica 1000 Guineas, the Jamaica Oaks, and won the Gold Cup a couple of times. She won the Sprints,” he said.

Ellis’s legacy extends beyond his impressive win record. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Jamaican horse racing, mentoring younger riders and elevating the sport’s stature in the country. His name commands respect, and his contributions to horse racing will be remembered for generations to come.

Shane Ellis aboard Typewriter, his 2012 Jamaica Derby winner.

Shane Ellis aboard Raeven Renae, his 2014 Jamaica Oaks winner.

Sensational Soul (right), ridden by jockey Shane Ellis, is driven to victory in the 2000 Guineas ahead of Bob The Builder (Raddesh Roman) at Caymanas Park in St Catherine on Sunday, June 8, 2025.(Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Shane Ellis winning aboard Orpheus in 2018. Ellis finished third on Orpheus in the 2016 Jamaica Derby, behind winner Future King and Bigdaddykool, but was awarded first place following the disqualification of the top two finishers.

Jockey Shane Ellis on his third derby winner, Relampago, on June 14, 2014.

The beauty and magnificence of 2019 Boom Jamaica Derby winner Supreme Soul (Shane Ellis)