KINGSTON, Jamaica - In a winning debut among four-year-old and up maiden horses on Saturday, August 10, 2024, Equinox, trained by Jason DaCosta and ridden by Abigail Able, surged ahead of the competition by an impressive 5 ¾ lengths.
The filly clocked a workable time of 1:00.2 while covering five furlongs straight, showcasing speed and likely potential.
The journey that led to Equinox's remarkable performance is as captivating as her victory.
According to DaCosta, Equinox faced numerous health challenges from an early age.
“Despite being a small-framed filly, she displayed determination and resilience. After initially being sent to a farm for recovery as a young horse, Equinox encountered further setbacks upon entering the stables as a three-year-old.
“It took her some time to adjust to a stable life and training routines, but the team persisted, eventually guiding her in the right direction. But she had to be returned to the farm for further recuperation,” DaCosta shared.
He also shed light on Equinox's unique preparation leading up to the race.“
Given her health history, we had to approach her training with caution, unable to push her as much as I would have liked during morning sessions. Although Equinox ideally needed two additional gallops to prepare for her debut race, she only had one due to her special circumstances.
“Despite this, the team remained optimistic and decided to proceed with the race, eager to see how she would fare in the competitive environment of the track,” the trainer said.
When asked about his reaction to Equinox's resounding victory, DaCosta expressed both surprise and confidence.
“While I always recognized her possible potential, the uncertainty stemming from her health history created doubts. Nevertheless, Equinox's winning performance was immensely encouraging, leaving hope for her future,” he said.
Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of maintaining Equinox's health and expressed aspirations for her to excel through her age group conditions.
