The racing season is just about quarter point and already there is a clear leader in the race for the Jockeys' Championship in former champion Emile Ramsammy. When Ramsammy made his Christmas visit at the end of 2012, few knew he would be remaining to the end of April.
However, shortly after that decision was announced, turfites knew that there was a lot to look forward to over the first few days of the season. Ramsammy has already won 29 of his 73 rides, at an amazing 40 per cent strike rate, earning in excess of $1.1 million. Second is apprentice Dillon Khelawan who has won nine races from 53 rides (17 per cent strike rate).
To put this into perspective, the 2012 title was won by Brian Boodramsingh who won 45 races for the year. Given the number of racing days left, it is likely that Ramsammy will eventually be overhauled, but the local riders will have to be extremely consistent to do so, and it is unlikely to happen before September or October of this year.
It is easy to say that Ramsammy won so many races because he received the best opportunities but this would be a gross over-simplification. Ramsammy, now 50 years old, is in the twilight of his career. However, he has continued to display a work ethic and commitment to the sport that places many of his younger contemporaries in the shade. Since Christmas, Ramsammy could be found every morning at the track, putting in his fair share of work on the horses trained by a variety of individuals.
While many of our younger riders consistently miss work, Ramsammy can be found day in day out, putting in the hours. This work ethic is an example that many riders would do well to emulate. Not only will this aid in their general fitness, it will also provide them with ample opportunity to hone their skills, particularly their balance in the saddle, not to mention their arm strength.
In addition, Ramsammy has been putting his considerable experience to use to aid trainers in understanding the relative progress of their charges. One of the key feedbacks for trainers is received from work riders on morning. There is little doubt that the feedback from Ramsammy has proven to be an invaluable aid to the trainers who have been lucky enough to secure his services. Our riders need to focus more on understanding their mounts so they can provide feedback to trainers. The trick is to understand where their mount is in their state of readiness for a race. Riders can only get to that place by practice and experience. There are no short cuts to that knowledge.
Ramsammy has also been using his time here to share his knowledge and perspectives with our budding apprentices. One can tell he has been stressing that the issue is more than just race riding. Their general demeanor, dress and attitude are equally important, if not more important, than their riding skills. Again this is an area in which our local riders are in dire need of guidance. All too often we have the situation in which our riders who show potential, either fall into bad company or develop an inflated sense of self which leads to a diminution in their work ethic. Turfites have seen many apprentices fail to progress due to poor attitudes. Hopefully the seeds of wisdom which Ramsammy has shared with the current crop, will not fall on barren ground.
The other area in which Ramsammy can be a good example is his commitment to family. His wife and children can be found at his side on most racedays and there is no doubt that the qualities required to be a successful family man has transferred over into his riding career. One can never under-estimate the benefit of a tranquil home life on someone's professional career and although this does not depend on marriage, the message is that our riders need to settle their home lives so that they can focus on their profession. Too many of our riders have unsettled home lives and engage in adventurous lifestyles which increase the probability of injudicious contacts with negative consequences. More of our riders need to settle down and follow Ramsammy's example.
Of all our riders who left these shores to secure their fortunes abroad, Ramsammy has arguably been our most successful journeyman. His success, however, has not gone to his ego and he has never forgotten his roots. His willingness to share and support the regimes of our trainers speaks volumes for the work ethic that has no doubt contributed to his success in the overseas cauldron of professional riders. As his career undeniably draws to a close, it can only be hoped that those in authority in T&T can develop a role for this top class jockey and individual to assist in stemming the steady decline in the standard of jockeyship in the local arena. His potential contribution is too great to be allowed to be wasted.
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