KINGSTON, Jamaica – When jockey Phillip Parchment closed the 2023 racing year on December 30 with victory atop the Patrick Lynch trained California Gold, it was the culmination of his best ever season in the saddle.
‘Parchy’ known for his bustling style of riding ended 2023 with 34 wins, finishing a respectable seventh in the jockeys’ championship behind first time champion Reyan Lewis with 99 wins to his credit.
Parchment, who is also the president of the Jockeys’ Guild, had the distinction of winning two of the much vaunted three-year-old Classic races, Mamma Mia in the 1000 Guineas, and the same Mamma Mia in the Jamaica Oaks. Mamma Mia is trained by 2023 champion, Jason DaCosta.
Those two wins on Mamma Mia cemented Parchment’s growing reputation of being a ‘big’ race jockey, having already scored success in the Jamaica Derby on King Arthur, and the Jamaica Oaks with Princess Anne, the latter two horses trained by Wayne DaCosta.
Then came the Jamaica Two-Year-Olds Stakes, the major event for the juveniles on Boxing Day 2023. It was another masterful display in the saddle by Parchment. He waiting on the Jason DaCosta trained Intrestntimesahead, then pounced in the straight to seal victory, and to confirm his status as one of the better long distance jockeys around at this time.
By finishing in seventh position with 34 winners in 2023, Parchment probably along with Raddesh Roman, and Roger Hewitt are the leading lights for the title of most improved jockey.
2 Responses
Well done Parchy..continue to work hard stay focus and wishing for you more success.
Well done indeed.