Race of the ages
With months to go, jockeys locked in enthralling title chase
Published:Thursday | October 3, 2024 | 12:11 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
WITH JUST a few months to go in the horse racing calendar, fans at Caymanas Park can’t seem to take their eyes off the jockeys’ title race between the pair of Raddesh Roman and Tevin Foster, who are locked at 99 winners.
Former jockey, now turned trainer, Fitzroy Gillespie, explained that the title race is impressive and is one of the best in recent history at Caymanas Park.
“Both jockeys have been very impressive, they’re getting good rides and are riding very well. I’ve seen Anthony Thomas against Dane Nelson but this is the first time I’m seeing two riders with so many winners at this time of the year,” said Gillespie.
According to the trainer, the ding-dong battle between Roman and Foster will only serve to increase the popularity of the sport and could possibly see both riders becoming household names in the country.
“It’s very good for the sport. Just last week, I saw a race that brought the house down. It was very exciting and I believe that we will be witnessing many more races like that at the track. It’s important as these two riders are very good. I’m very impressed and, as time goes by, you’ll have different riders in different eras that’ll prove themselves similarly to the likes of Andrew Ramgeet and Winston Griffiths. So this is another era that these two are proving that.”
Foster has had a brilliant year, surpassing 300 victories and landing his first Classic aboard the Jason Dacosta-trained INTRESTNTIMESAHEAD in the Jamaica St Leger.
Roman, who finished fourth in last year’s title race with 50 wins, was this season crowned ‘most improved jockey’ and recently won the Typewriter Cup aboard SISTREN TREASURE, beating Foster, who rode MONEY MISER, by a neck.
After nine months of watching the two jockeys do battle, Gillespie still cannot separate the two.
“I can’t predict it, as it’s just too tough to call.”