The?2011 Jockeys’ Championship appeared poised for a great finish going into the final day, with runaway leaders Jalon Samuel and Anderson Trotman locked on 31 wins each.
The equation heavily favoured the challenger Trotman, who had more second-place finishes.
At the conclusion of Race 10, both riders were winless on the card which meant that Trotman had secured another riding title.
Their performance on the day epitomized the sub-standard third season they had as they mustered in three victories from 53 rides between them.
This title gave Trotman an unprecedented sixth riding title in Barbados. He had won titles back in 1995, 1996, 2004, 2005 and 2007.
His partnership with owner Sir Charles Williams and trainer Andrew Nunes has once more proven very profitable.
The hard graft he put in rewarded him with yearly figures of 31-25-21-14 from 146 rides and earnings of $556 392 and a win percentage of 21.
Trotman found the going rough in the third season when the trainers had plenty options.
He was at his best during the first two seasons and that was enough to seal the deal for him.
His main players were the three-year-old filly Kendal Moon who landed the Midsummer Creole Classic over 1 800 metres, the United Insurance Barbados Derby over 2 000 metres and Apostle, which won the Val Gale Cup for the top-rated horses (118-140) over 1 800 metres.
He also won four races on the imported three-year-old Nomoreginrog.
Third season returns: Position: Unplaced with 1-8-6-2 from 29 rides all earning $97 195.
Last year’s champion Samuel was denied a repeat success as he failed to break the deadlock with Trotman.
The 22 percentage winning rider had yearly statistics of 31-18-18-24 from 142 mounts and earnings of $509 786.
Samuel’s major success was winning the Cool More Home Of Champions Stakes & Trophy and the Tanglewood Stakes & Trophy over 1 800 and 2 000 metres respectively with Bouncebak.
He endured his worst season ever during the just concluded third season.
Third season returns: Position: Unplaced with 2-3-2-6 from 24 mounts all earning $39 150.
Antonio Bishop rocketed himself into the third position in the overall standings. His winning percentage of 16 coupled with consistent performances ensured he would lose his apprenticeship on the last day of the third season.
From 107 mounts, his statistics were 17-15-12-14 with earnings of $397 803.
Apart from gleefully accepting the Sandy Lane Gold Cup victory his main accomplishment would have been him be crowned champion apprentice for 2011.
His victory aboard Zoom in the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Breeders’ Classic over 1 800 metres would also be a standout.
Third season returns: Position: Third with 5-2-3-4 from 22 mounts earnings of $89 387.
Reshaun Latchman, after a late start to the year, displayed much improved skills and was richly rewarded with fourth place finish in the overall championship.
He was one of two riders to distinguish themselves in the third season, the other being Paul Eddery.
The 18 percentage winning rider accumulated year figures of 13-11-13-4 from 72 mounts which earned $221 594.
Latchman landed two triple victories during the third season. On Day 3, he scored with Indian Officer, Jusanotheropinion and Desert Orchid and wrapped up the year with his second treble aboard Indian Officer, Aston Martin and Giovedi.
Third season returns: Position: Second with 6-6-4-5 from 30 mounts and earnings of $128 058.
Surprise! surprise! The third racing season crowned a new and different season champion in Irish-born Paul Eddery, who won his first season title in Barbados.
Riding predominantly for Blue Diamond Stable, the veteran took the third season honours with seven wins, three seconds, one third and three fourth-place finishes from 33 mounts which have all combined to earn $88 075.
Eddery started the year in late April but despite the incredible season he failed to break into the top four of the year.
