Tevin “Terrific” Foster may have narrowly missed out on the 2024 jockeys' championship title, but he emerged from the intense competition with his head held high and an unshakable spirit.
The showdown unfolded at Caymanas Park on Saturday, December 28, 2024, as Foster and Raddesh Roman battled in an exhilarating nine-race event to crown the champion jockey. Roman entered the day three wins ahead, with a score of 132 to Foster’s 129, intent on securing the prestigious title.
However, Foster had other intentions. He burst onto the scene with a stunning performance, winning three races in a row in the second, third, and fourth races aboard Honour Prince, Supremasi, and Shelly The Rocket. The excitement in the crowd was palpable as Foster tied Roman, igniting the competition for the concluding races.
Roman responded decisively, claiming victory aboard Oil Machine in the fifth race, which allowed him to regain the edge. Following this, Foster secured second place in three of the four remaining races, riding Lady Abhimala, Stanislaus, and Medal Award.
Ultimately, Roman's single win proved to be the key difference, as he clinched the coveted title by the slimmest of margins, finishing at 133 to Foster’s 132.
In a poignant reflection after the races, Foster expressed heartfelt gratitude to his supporters throughout his journey. "I am grateful for this year, which is my best year throughout racing, and I am happy for it," he stated with genuine appreciation.
Despite the disappointment, Foster maintained his sense of pride and self-belief, declaring himself a true champion. "I had believed in myself, and I am a true champion. Even though I lost by one winner, I still have myself as a true champion," he asserted.
While the 2024 season didn’t end with the ultimate accolade, Foster is already focused on the future, eagerly anticipating the challenges ahead. "I will continue to do the hard work, and come next year, you can expect the same level of competition from me," he promised.
He also took a moment to acknowledge the critical role his sponsor, TruShake, played in his success. "I am thankful for my sponsor TruShake, because without them, I think that I would not have come this far," he shared. "The motivation and the drive, I give thanks to TruShake, and I hope that they continue to strive and help more jockeys like me, Javaniel Patterson, Raddesh Roman, and Reyan Lewis," he concluded.
