KINGSTON, Jamaica - “I will sleep soundly now, after seven wretched years in the wilderness without a win” declared racehorse trainer Donovan Thompson after posting his three-year-old chestnut filly Aava Jaelyn to a decisive win over 1,200 metres as a 23-1 betting option at Caymanas Park on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
Owned by Fahrenheits and ridden to victory by two-kilogramme claiming apprentice Roger Hewitt, Aava Jaelyn’s first success after four starts came in a three-year-old maiden event at six furlongs. The filly won in a time of 1:17.3 with splits of 23.4 x 48.0 seconds.
Eddietwentynine, the 6/5 favourite partnered by jockey Reyan Lewis, was second with the 99/1 shot Melmich (Prince Holder) finishing third.
“Today’s win can only make me more consciously assertive, stronger, and resilient in the face of all challenges.
“Is only God made me survive the tribulation I went through over the last seven years of not training or racing horses.
“There were some serious threats that made winning today [Saturday] something of a miracle. I survived, and now I have resumed my career with a fresh winning start.
“I just believe in God, and it so happened that my brethren had this mare and we put it at the breeding shed where it produced this filly. The owner then decided that it is I who should train this horse.
“I came back to the track to resume my training with her and this is the response that I got from her. With this positive response I can hope for better things ahead. The idea is to have faith in the ‘Maker’ and continue to work dutifully and hope for the best from what must be a meaningful effort,” a hopeful Thompson said.
