He is the number one jockey at the Gulfstream Park race track in Florida.
Yet Edgard Zayas could not hide his emotions after riding for the first time at Caymanas Park on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
This was not the first time, however, Zayas was coming into contact with Jamaican horse racing personnel as his first career winner was trained by a Jamaican, Collin Maragh.
“I started my riding career in 2012 and I have ridden close to 2,500 winners. I am based in South Florida and it has been an awesome experience,” Zayas said.
“To make my trip to Jamaica special, my first winner was for a Jamaican trainer Collin Maragh. The horse's name was Five Afternoons at Calder race track on November 17, 2012. Collin is Rajiv Maragh's dad,” he added.
Although Zayas didn't reach the winner's circle, his inaugural experience at Caymanas Park left him yearning for more.
"It's been great, I loved it – the experience has been awesome. Everybody has been welcoming, and they're all great people. I love it here,” he said.
Zayas also praised the local track circuit and noted a key difference between riding in Jamaica and his usual American circuit.
"The horses are different, and you have to ride them differently. In America, the horses are a little better, so it's more about being tactical. Here, it would help if you were lucky and have the horses bring their A-game on the day,” he said.
“I have ridden at Gulfstream, Belmont, Saratoga, Churchill Downs, Dubai, Santa Anita, and Delmar. A lot of tracks I have ridden at as I like to travel all around. I like travelling and riding to get the experience and so when I got the offer to come here, I took it.
“I was looking to ride here and so I am happy to be here. I would come back here to ride. I was looking forward to the Mouttet Mile but it normally runs on a Saturday and Saturdays are a little harder to get out and ride,” Zayas ended.
In addition to riding winners for Collin Maragh, Zayas has in the past piloted winners for another Jamaican trainer in Florida, Phillip Lee.
