Joseph Trejos, an American jockey, made his debut in Jamaica during the Mouttet Mile race day at Caymanas Park on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
While he didn't achieve any wins from his five rides, Trejos was pleased with the overall experience, praising the warm hospitality and distinctive atmosphere of the Jamaican racing community.
"The racetrack is good, it's nice, it's different from the American tracks, but it's nice. The feeling is nice, as everything was good. I enjoyed the experience, and I was happy to be here,” Trejos shared.
Having started his riding career in 2017 and making his way to the US racing scene in 2020, Trejos has notably ridden 173 winners, finished second 190 times, and placed third 323 times out of 1,770 mounts, amassing US$4,644,134 in stakes.
Trejos expressed his joy about the Jamaican racing environment, stating, "I really enjoyed myself here in Jamaica. The people are nice, the food is great, and the racing is competitive. If given the opportunity, I would come back and ride here at Caymanas Park.”
He highlighted his ambition to explore various racing environments. "This is what I came here for in the first place – I want to know what it's like, I want to experience different racetracks, different jockeys, and the culture. I just want to experience different atmospheres, and I like it here,” he explained.
Trejos' trip to Jamaica aligns with his larger goal of obtaining international experience and competing alongside elite jockeys. "I want to ride in different countries, meet new people, and learn new things. I believe that's the best way to improve and become a better jockey."
As he prepared to return to the US, Trejos reflected on the valuable lessons learned during his Jamaican adventure. "I've learned that racing is the same everywhere, but the atmosphere and the culture are different. I've also learned that I need to be more patient and adapt to different racing styles,” he noted.
