BY no means could anyone involved in racing consider Jawara Steadman one of the country’s best trainee riders. Steadman, like so many others, struggles to secure riders or win races.

Steadman, the younger brother of famed jockey Linton, began riding in 2019 and stayed winless for over four years. After trying and trying, he won his first professional race on June 8 this year and in little over a month has ridden five winners, quietly but steadily establishing himself in the jockey’s colony.

Last Saturday (July 22, 2023), Steadman — who has been looking much better in the saddle and has been riding with a lot of patience, determination and confidence — produced a devastating ride aboard the Richard Azan-conditioned Manoushe that got the crowd on its feet at the end of the second event.burlapmanouch

Steadman brought Manoushe from behind runners and got up in the ‘glass’ to beat rivals in a Maiden Condition Race for native-bred three-year-olds going 5½ furlongs (1,100m).

Manoushe settled in fourth place when the starting barriers were pressed open by the starter, and watched as Grey Commander (Daniel Thompson) seized the lead into the half-mile turn ahead of The Bees Knees (Bebeto Harvey) and Princess Akilah (Matthew Bennett).

Manoushe surrounded horses and pursued Grey Commander turning for home, with The Bees Knees and Newland Links (Reyan Lewis) both upping their tempo.

In the lane, Grey Commander continued to hold the lead, but with yards to go Steadman produced his mount with a strong effort and Manoushe put the head in front where it mattered most. Manoushe defeated Grey Commander by half-length in a time of 1:10.2 (24.2 x 48.1). The Bees Knees, stablemate of Manoushe, ended in the third slot.

“It’s a nice feeling. I mean, riding winners is always good and it also builds your confidence level and encourages you to keep putting in the work,” Steadman told The Supreme Racing Guide of the Jamaica Observer.

“It can be overwhelming at times but you just have to stay focused and work hard. I’m just happy that I’m able to bring home the winners, and I owe it to the connections of the horses to do my best every time,” he added.