KINGSTON, Jamaica - Former champion jockey, Shane Ellis spent time during his recent visit to his homeland from riding duties in Canada to address the apprentice jockeys in training on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Caymanas Park.
In his address Ellis shared his experiences in the saddle in Jamaica and aboard, and what is required to have a successful career.
“This is not an easy profession, there are going to be some good times, but more often than not there are going to be worse times; the task ahead is not to give up the first time something goes bad, you will not achieve much going in that direction,” Ellis told the young apprentices.
"Instead, continue to work, maintain your weight, and continue to learn," he added.
Before talking to the apprentices, Ellis, known in racing circles and beyond as ‘The Canter Man’ made a triumphant return to the winners' enclosure on Sunday, July 7, 2024, guiding Last Dance to a convincing victory in the second race.
The win occurred in a native-bred five-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) and imported five-year-olds and upward (maidens) race over 5 furlongs straight.
Last Dance, trained by Michael Marlowe, came from behind to secure the win by 6 ¼ lengths with a time of 1:02.2 (23.2 x 48.0).
“The win was very good,” Ellis said.
“I felt so good. I came back to my country and I won on my second ride of the day. That was so good and I am happy.
“Well, Mr Marlowe told me that he is putting me on this horse. The horse wasn’t my weight but Marlowe said that I can make it up for the weight because he doesn’t care about weight when I am riding for him,” Ellis added.
Ellis positioned Last Dance just off the pace while Adenosine (Richard Henry) set an early fast pace ahead of Wearyourhonur (Jawani Forbes). Coming across the dummy rails, Adenosine held a good lead but couldn't maintain it in the race's latter stages, allowing Last Dance to clinch the victory.
Adenosine secured second place, followed by Asurety (Roger Hewitt) in third.
“I watched the horse run with Prince Holder the last time and so I knew that I had to get a good break at the start. I held her up in third or fourth position and took it from there on,” Ellis shared.
He followed up his win atop Last Dance the next day with success on the Welsh Soutar-trained, Hedge Craft.
