KINGSTON, Jamaica - She has become a permanent fixture on the racetrack, yet from her 23 lifetime starts, Himaya has only been able to achieve four second-place finishes and four thirds for career earnings of just over $1.5 million.
Everything changed on Saturday, October 12, 2024, when Himaya was able to win her first race, which just happened to be the TOBA | BGLC Millionaire Series (Race 2).
This event had an original purse of just over $1 million but it also carried a TOBA | BGLC bonus of $2 million. To qualify for that hefty bonus, horses entered had to pass through the TOBA yearly sale or be supplemented for a fee of $150,000. Himaya was supplemented by her trainer Jason DaCosta.
Racing behind the pacesetters, jockey Tevin Foster waited on Himaya before going by Blood Moon (Dane Dawkins), the then-leader, in the straight to win by over three lengths. Happy Force ran on to nip Blood Moon for second place.
“Himaya raced just six days ago. She came into this race ready and with the assistance of Tevin (Foster), she got the job done. She has been knocking around for a while, and now all the work and patience have paid off.
“The cherry on top came with the TOBA | BGLC bonus for the owner. That initiative is an excellent one as it gives owners the incentive to purchase young horses, which is always good for the development of the racing product,” DaCosta said in his post-race interview.
Himaya is owned by Jason’s mother, Elizabeth.
