After more than a year of persistence and patience, apprentice jockey Roshaune Lewis finally tasted victory on Sunday, March 1, 2026, when he guided Sudden Flight, trained by Ryan Darby, to success in an Optional Claiming event worth $200,000.
In a striking twist, Lewis’s maiden triumph came at the expense of his younger brother, Reyan Lewis, a former champion rider with over 300 wins to his name. Reyan finished three lengths adrift aboard Stein, the family rivalry that added drama to the 3½-furlong contest.
Reyan was not to be outdone on the day, as two races later he won aboard the Peter-John Parsard conditioned three-year-old debutante, Manoletti Majestic.
Reflecting on the breakthrough, Roshaune admitted the moment carried immense weight:
"This is a good impression. I am happy that I have won my first race as it has been almost two years since I got my licence."
He acknowledged the long road to this milestone:
"It took me a while but I am glad that I have won my first race. It is the most important thing in getting your jockey's licence, and so it is a good feeling."
Lewis credited his younger brother for playing a pivotal role in his preparation:
"Reyan (25 years old) is my younger brother and he gave me a lot of heads up towards this race. He told me a few things such as, I must ride a comfortable race, keep a cool mind, and get the job done."
The 27-year-old rider was modest in his self-assessment:
"To be honest, out of 10, I gave myself a seven because you know I cannot be confident until the race is over. The most important thing is to get the job done and I knew that would get the job done today."
Looking ahead, Lewis expressed determination to build on this foundation:
"I have no regrets choosing this profession. I got involved in the sport through my brother and I am very grateful. I got that first win out of the way and so the work continues with the hope of getting more winners."
He closed with gratitude for the support that carried him to this moment:
"I would like to thank everyone for the support, guidance, and belief in me. Getting my first win is very important and I could not have done it without the support. I hope that this win can be the start of something good for me and thanks to everyone again for the support."
