He has passed through several conditioning hands over the years, but the resilient Tigray Express continues to defy expectations. Now a seasoned seven-year-old bay gelding by Traditional out of Kiri, the veteran campaigner added yet another chapter to his remarkable story on Saturday, February 7, when he notched his eighth victory from nine starts.
The latest triumph came in the day’s seventh event, a claiming call over six and a half furlongs. Partnered by Tevin Foster and prepared by trainer Oneil Markland, Tigray Express settled into stride before unleashing his trademark finishing burst inside the final furlong and a half. He surged past rivals to secure victory by 1 ½ lengths, leaving Golden Loyalty (ridden by Anthony Allen) in second and longshot Casual Peach (20-1) in third.
The win carried double significance. Not only did it reinforce Tigray Express’s reputation as a relentless claiming competitor, but it also marked a personal milestone for his jockey. With this success, Tevin Foster celebrated his 400th career win, a landmark achievement in his riding journey.
While his current streak of eight wins from nine outings is impressive, the broader career record of Tigray Express tells an even richer tale. From 55 lifetime starts, he has now registered 15 victories, amassing career earnings of just over $8 million. His longevity, adaptability under different conditioners, and consistency visits to the winners’ enclosure make him one of the most durable performers on the circuit.
