THE race for the 2026 jockey championship title just got a major shake-up with the return of two-time defending champion Raddesh Roman and top apprentice Tajay Suckoo. Both are set to ride this Saturday at Caymanas Park after coming off injury setbacks and their comeback puts the title race back in play.

Tevin Foster made the most of their absence and surged to the lead in the standing. He currently sits on 62 wins. Roman is right on his heels with 59 wins. Suckoo is in third on 45 wins and will be looking to make up ground now that he’s back in the saddle.

With 28 racedays left in the season, three wins is nothing. One good Saturday and Roman could be back on top. One cold streak and Foster could run away with it. The championship race is officially back on.

Roman’s absence had stemmed from a dramatic incident on Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the running of the afternoon’s second race. Aboard Midnight Galaxy, the champion was unseated in a split-second chain reaction that also involved fellow riders Demar Williams on Ruby’s Light and Tyrese Anderson on Bubblingbrownsugar.

Groom Leon Sukoo leads his charge Salute The Don (Raddesh Roman) into the winners’ enclosure after winning the Jamaica 2000 Guineas Classic on Sunday, June 7, 2026. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Following comprehensive X-rays and medical evaluations, doctors confirmed that Roman escaped without any broken bones, though he continued to nurse shoulder pain and was advised to rest at home to avoid premature strain.

For Suckoo, the setback occurred on Thursday, August 6, 2026, during the third race of the day. While turning for home aboard Badbadtanesha, Suckoo suffered a hard fall and was immediately rushed to the hospital.

Subsequent medical examinations revealed no fractures, but doctors diagnosed him with a concussion, prompting the medical team to keep him under close observation to monitor his progress.

Based on the final programme, both Roman and Suckoo have secured seven rides each on the 10-race card.

Roman will ride Another Mission for trainer Oral Hayden in the third race, Dashallday for trainer Anthony Nunes in the fourth race, Laban for trainer Paul Hylton in the fifth race, Melba’s Choice for trainer Saqlain Roman in the sixth race, I’m Outstanding for trainer Louis Richards in the eighth race, Bob The Builder for trainer Adrian Prince in the ninth race, and Prince Amaan also for Prince in the 10th and final race.

Tajay Suckoo atop Dark Authority (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Suckoo will get up on Great Trick for trainer Colin Ferguson in the first race, Dont Tell Lou Lou for trainer Peter-John Parsard in the third race, Mo Pai for trainer Richard Azan in the fourth race, Call her Norray for trainer Paul Hylton in the sixth race, Last Possession for trainer Anthony Dixon in the eighth race, Allegiance, also trained Nunes in the ninth race, and Oil Machine for trainer Phillip Elliott in the 10th race.

Suckoo faces a tough task from third on 45 wins. He’s 17 behind Foster and 14 behind Roman with time running out. He can still play spoiler and pick up mounts, but the title is realistically between the leader and the defending champion.

If Foster holds his current pace, he wins his first title. There’s no more room for error. This isn’t about who’s the better rider. Both have already proven that. This is about who wants it more over the next 28 racedays.

They’ve done this before. In 2024, Raddesh Roman chased Tevin Foster all year, trailing him for most of the season, before stealing the title by one win on the final day. In 2025, Roman turned it into a runaway. Foster left for Canada to ride, and Roman cruised to his second-straight championship. Now in 2026, with 28 racedays left, they’re at it again. And this time, Foster isn’t going anywhere.