KINGSTON, Jamaica – As the 2024 jockey championship unfolds, a fierce rivalry is captivating racing fans just one month into the competitive season. The battle for supremacy is proving to be a captivating spectacle.
The absence of reigning champion Reyan Lewis, who missed six of the seven race days in January and one in February, has left the field wide open. Competitors Tevin Foster and Raddesh Roman have seized this opportunity, thrusting themselves into the limelight.
Roman, in particular, has experienced a career renaissance, embarking on an impressive eight-race winning streak during the final weekend of January. This remarkable run of success began on Saturday, January 27, and concluded on Sunday, January 28, propelling him past the early front-runner, Tevin Foster.
After serving a two-race suspension, Roman returned with a vengeance, securing two victories on Saturday followed by a staggering six wins on Sunday. Foster, on the other hand, managed a solitary win on Saturday and failed to capture a win on Sunday. Roman's weekend exploits placed him at the forefront of the standings with a total of 13 victories, while Foster trailed with nine.
However, Tevin Foster quickly countered with a formidable performance of his own on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Demonstrating skill and determination, Foster claimed four victories, drawing level with Roman, who did not add to his tally that day. Foster's triumphs included commanding rides on Speed On Wheels, trained by Howard Jaghai, She’s A Godgift, trained by Leroy Thompson, Bern Notice, trained by Rohan Crichton, and Kem, trained by Paul Swaby.
Foster's win on Speed On Wheels came in the Eight Thirty Sprint, a 5-furlong dash, while his victory with Kem was secured in Division One of the George HoSang Trophy, a slightly longer 5 ½ furlong challenge.
In a statement reflecting on his recent success, Foster exuded confidence. "Confidence is 100 per cent for me right now. I mean, I have been working hard, and the horses I have been getting on are some lovely ones, and they feel so great in the mornings, so when they come on race days, I am confident they are very high," he asserted.
As the championship race continues, the excitement builds with each passing event, setting the stage for what promises to be an enthralling contest throughout the remainder of the racing season.
