Back in the saddle - Apprentice jockey returns after injury
Published:Wednesday | September 9, 2020 | 12:10 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
Having returned to the saddle last weekend from a three-week injury lay-off, promising apprentice jockey Youville Pinnock says he is ready to once again prove himself as one of the top riders at Caymanas Park.
The 23-year-old Pinnock, who has won nine races so far in his career, suffered minor injuries after he fell from his mount SUPER MAL on August 15. This after the horse broke one of its legs at the furlong post in the 800-metre race.
The Clarendon native, who rode in four races over last weekend’s two-day race meet, said he was delighted to be back in the saddle.
“I know that I have to prove myself again because I am coming off this injury, and so I need to win races to show that the injury didn’t shake me,” said Pinnock.
“I am 100 per cent confident in myself and my abilities, but is it just to find back the race fitness, because race fitness is different kind of fitness from running on the ground,” he said.
Pinnock underlined that he has been exercising a lot of horses in the mornings and, therefore, he is very optimistic that the winners will come pretty soon.
“My aim is to go back on top, and so people can expect good racing, dedication and some winners from me for the rest of the year,” he said.
“I have been working a lot of horses for Anthony Nunes and other trainers, and so things are coming along smoothly for me so far, and I am feeling happy in myself that I am back in the saddle,” Pinnock said.
“I am also feeling comfortable out there riding because I am not going to let that fall get to me and/or get me down, because this is my career and so I have to stay focused and determined,” he said.
Pinnock, who started riding as an apprentice jockey in December 2019, is second in the apprentice standing behind Oshane Nugent, who has so far ridden 13 winners.