FOUR-YEAR-OLD grey/roan colt The Soul Warrior (Storm Craft – Amanda Panda) created a huge upset when beating his more-fancied rivals in the $1.1-million Visit Jamaica Trophy on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

Trained by Donovan Russell and ridden by Roger Hewitt, The Soul Warrior, who was 16-0 this season, won at odds of 99-1 in the 6½ furlongs (1,300m).

The race was a Restricted Allowance V contest for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) and imported four-year-olds and upward (maidens).

The Soul Warrior sat among the back markers in the early part of the race before making the approach on the distance. When all seemed lost, as Rock-Ola (Shane Ellis), Dancing Aviator (Abigail Able), and
Chesney (Dane Dawkins) looked strong in deep stretch, The Soul Warrior hit top gear and burst through between horses to get up in time at the wire for the win.

The Soul Warrior was a nose in front of Chesney at the line, with Rock-Ola just a neck adrift in third place. The winning time was 1:25.0. It was Russell’s first win for the season from 30 starts.

— Ruddy Allen