In a moment steeped in solemnity, the racing community converged in the winners’ enclosure on Saturday, September 27, 2025 to honour the life of jockey Oneil Mullings, who was tragically killed in a recent act of violence in the Waterhouse community on Sunday, September 21.

Colleague jockeys, agents, and representatives from the promoting company, Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment (SVREL) stood shoulder to shoulder, their heads bowed in silence as they paid tribute to a man whose passion for the sport had left an indelible mark on the track.

The atmosphere was heavy with emotion, reflecting the deep bonds forged within racing circles. Oneil Mullings was more than a jockey; he was an integral part of the fabric of the sport they cherished. The minute of silence was a heartfelt gesture from the horsemen, an expression of respect, sorrow, and solidarity for one of their own.

Phillip Parchment, president of the Jamaica Jockeys’ Guild, spoke poignantly about the profound impact Oneil Mullings’ sudden death had on their community.

“It affected us a lot. It’s very devastating and very saddened,” he said, capturing the depth of their collective grief.

Parchment reflected on the bitter-sweet reality of their profession, in which they balance public performance with personal sorrow: “We are riding today and grieving at the same time as we putting out our best faces to please the public, but deep down inside we are mourning and grieving,” Parchment told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

He recalled the strong bonds formed among jockeys who graduated together in 2002.

“We graduated in 2002, including Paul Francis, Dane Nelson, Dalton Brown, and more, and since then we have been brothers. I think out of the batch only four of us actively riding in Jamaica, and now he [Oneil Mulling] has departed leaving three of us — Francis, myself, and Kerry-Gayl Robinson,” Parchment said.

Parchment spoke to the close personal relationship he shared with Mullings: “I was very close to him. We are always advising each other, making fun of each other; we were like family. I spoke to him the Sunday morning, he was supposed to go somewhere but the event cancelled and he told me that he is going home to relax and then in the night of the same day I heard about his death and it was very shocking,” he stated.

According to Parchment, Mullings was dubbed Iron Man due to his remarkable resilience, having weathered numerous accidents involving horses and cars. His riding prowess, reminiscent of the legendary British jockey, led to him being nicknamed Lester Piggott.

“He has been involved in a lot of accidents with horses and cars and so that’s how he got the [nickname] Iron Man. But he known as Lester Piggott based on his riding style,” Parchment ended.

PARCHMENT…we are always advising each other, making fun of each other; we were like family (Photo: Naphtali Junior)