Horse racing in Barbados has just witnessed the emergence of a future star.
Jalon Samuel, a 17-year-old former Lester Vaughn schoolboy, was crowned the 2010 champion jockey and champion apprentice.
Having sustained a broken wrist in Trinidad on New Year’s Day 2010, Samuel had to skip four race days at the beginning of the year to allow the injury to heal.
He hastened his return to the saddle in earnest on March 6, 2010, and immediately made his intentions clear with a double strike.
His season makes for interesting reading.
From 146 rides, he won 37 races, which where complemented by 21 seconds, 12 thirds, and 14 fourths – all earning him a grand total of $492 105.
A win percentage of 25 is a tremendous achievement by all standards.
Poise, positioning and perseverance are but a few of the qualities displayed by Samuel throughout the year, as he grew from strength to strength in a dazzling display.
“It was a tremendous feeling, especially coming back after the wrist injury,” Samuel told SUNSPORT about his achievement.
He attributed his success to hard work, commitment, dedication, and careful attention to detail.
Samuel also spoke highly of the owner of Blue Diamond Racing Stable, Lord Michael Taylor, and trainer Anderson Ward. He further extended his heartfelt appreciation to all the other owners and trainers, as well as to all those who contributed to his success.
He further extended a special thank you to Mohommed Mohamad for his continued guidance.
When asked if he intends to further his career abroad, Samuel replied: “Some day in the not too distance future.”
Samuel’s thirst for success got a gargantuan boost when he landed the riding contract for the powerful Blue Diamond Stable, owned by Lord Michael Taylor, and guided by rookie trainer Anderson Ward.
As the season wore on, Antonio Bishop’s apprentice title and the jockeys’ title left vacant by the decision of Ward to switch to training became his primary focus.
The elder reinsman in the jockey room, Anderson Trotman held centrestage all year with Samuel stalking him like a tiger after its prey.
Tight battle
Trotman won the second season title, while Samuel remained in second. The battle intensified like a raging hurricane in the third and final season when the championship lead changed briefly as Samuel recorded a triple and a double on days two and three to head the overall standings.
As they turned for home, however, that lead was shortlived as Trotman fought his way back to the top on the fourth day with a triple strike propelling him back to the front, with the title entering the final furlong.
Racing enthusiasts were in for something special on the fifth and final day as Trotman and Samuel were now more than ever the focus of attention.
Samuel then seized the opportunity to showcase his rapidly growing maturity by scoring four supremely crafted victories with calculated precision, which included a blazing hat-trick in races Two, three and four.
Trotman could not keep pace, and with the title on the line on that final day, could only reply with a sole win in race 7.
Samuel later took race 8 to put the icing on the cake, and it was time for his supporters to pop the champagne, as he swept to his first championship, defeating long-time leader and rival Trotman by two wins.
A look at his statistics for the year shows he scored seven doubles, four triples, and two four-timers.
The first of the two four-timers was on March 27 aboard Just U And Me, Dany Dany, Deal Or No Deal and Charge It, followed by that memorable one aboard Vitality, Reprise, Daga and Zaltarr on December 27.
A further breakdown of his statistics show that Samuel enjoyed wins in 17 races over 1 570 metres, 11 at 1 100 metres, five at 1 000 metres, and four at 1 800 metres.
His big race wins were in the Queen’s Plate on Show Me The Money over 1 800 metres, and in the Caribbean Money Market Brokers Barbados Guineas over 1 570 metres on Amanyara.
He also finished second in the United Barbados Derby over 2 000 metres, also on Amanyara.
One can look forward to seeing Samuel as a full-fledged jockey as he is just one win short of the land mark.
When the honours list is drawn up for the Sports Personalities of the Year 2010, just like in Britain, a jockey should be very close to the pinnacle. That jockey should no doubt be Jalon Samuel.
