JAMAICA Racing Commission (JRC) Chairman Clovis Metcalfe has clarified the circumstances surrounding champion jockey Raddesh Roman’s absence from the Saturday, August 9, 2025 race meet at Caymanas Park.

Roman was slated to ride several horses but was removed from the line-up after suffering two spills in consecutive races on August 6.

Roman fell from Papi Uso in the seventh race and Valley of Love during the running of the eighth race. After medical checks he was stood down by the stewards for the remaining races on the card.

According to Metcalfe, Roman was stood down by the stewards for the August 9 race day due to Rule 138, Section 3 of the JRC’s Racing Rules 1977, which requires jockeys to present a medical clearance certificate after an injury or illness before participating in subsequent races.

“In light of the misinformation circulating in the public domain regarding jockey Raddesh Roman being disqualified by the stewards of the JRC to ride last Saturday [August 9]. It would be remiss if the commission did not set the record straight,” Metcalfe said.

“First of all, let me as the chairman commend the stewards on the decision taken. The rule is clear and states: Any jockey or an apprentice who, due to illness or injury, is unable to ride on a race day will not be permitted to ride on a subsequent race day until he shall have presented to the registry office a certificate from a registered medical practitioner that he is fit to ride,” Metcalfe explained.

Metcalfe explained that Roman was unable to provide the necessary medical clearance at scratch time on Thursday (August 7), leading to the stewards’ decision.

“When asked to present a medical clearance at scratch time on Thursday last, jockey Raddesh Roman was unable to provide same. We must all learn from history and err on the side of caution,” he said.

Metcalfe also emphasised the importance of prioritising jockey safety, referencing a 2020 incident involving jockey Romario Smith who suffered a stroke after being allowed to ride despite potential concussion symptoms.

“In 2020 jockey Romario Smith was allowed to ride under similar conditions after an earlier fall, and it seemed that he had a concussion which was not properly diagnosed. At the end of the race he suffered a stroke and he has been wheelchair-bound ever since. We continued to assist Smith and hope for his full recovery,” Metcalfe said.

Jockey Raddesh Roman