KINGSTON, Jamaica - The 2019 Triple Crown-winning and former champion jockey Shane Ellis spoke with this reporter in an interview at the track after his early morning exercise of horses on Tuesday (November 5) about his thoughts on the Diamond Mile as he prepares to ride, Supreme Soul.
INT: Interviewer
SE: Shane Ellis
INT: What are your thoughts on the Diamond Mile?
SE: For me the Diamond Mile is appreciated. There is excitement, there are preparations and there are ups and downs. Importantly, the Diamond Mile races carry more money and that is always good for those of us in horse racing. For the jockeys involved, I can tell you when it is Diamond Mile time they are eager, they want to ride winners so that they can earn more. The Diamond Mile is always good.
INT: How important is it for you to win the Diamond Mile?
SE: It would mean a lot. It would be a dream come true if I could package victory in the coveted Diamond Mile event to go along with winning the Triple Crown Series on Supreme Soul earlier this year. Imagine winning the 2000 Guineas, the Jamaica Derby, the Jamaica St Leger, the Governor’s Cup and the Diamond Mile in the same year.
INT: How do you see the race unfolding?
SE: The form says it should be the Wayne DaCosta pair of She’s A Maneater and Stranger Danger who will fight it out but there are other horses in the race who are talented and who have a chance of winning. We must always remember that this is a race and any horse who enters the starting gate has a chance of winning.
INT: Which horses, in your opinion, can realistically challenge the two favourites, She’s A Maneater and Stranger Danger?
SE: There is Toona Ciliata, a three-year-old who is improving at the right time; Supreme Soul who is on his way back to good form and Another Bullet who I rode to victory in the Caribbean Sprint Championship. Another Bullet by winning the Sprint has proven his true worth and another capital run is expected from him in the Diamond Mile.
INT: What condition are you in at present?
SE: I will be in tip-top shape for the challenge – physically and mentally prepared – to strive for the best effort to get the best result possible and if that is not good enough then so be it.
