KINGSTON, Jamaica – In the seventh race on the Overnight program of Saturday, May 27, 2023, with the race number subject to change, there is the rather unique situation of a father and son - trainer and jockey combination - plying their trade together at Caymanas Park.
Horse number five in the Overnight seventh is Jupiter Man conditioned by new trainer Howard Bailey, and ridden by Calvin Bailey. Howard is the father of Calvin.
The Baileys join a select group of father and son combinations to represent each other at Caymanas Park.
Father Howard told Quickgallop.com, that for his son to be riding a horse he trains is a moment he had dreamt about and waited on for a long while.
“I recently graduated from the trainers’ course, and before that, during the course itself, and after graduating, I was always thinking about starting my first horse with my son (Calvin) in the saddle.
“Now, this dream of mine is coming true, and as a dad, I am pleased and very happy,” Howard Bailey said.
As to his son, Howard said the young man (Calvin) has had his ups and downs during his riding career, but now he is fully focused and is working hard.
“Just, two weeks ago he rode Katalina to victory for my batchmate Paul Swaby, so Calvin is reinvigorating himself. He is training regularly to manage his weight and the hard work has started to bear some fruit,” the father stated.
Calvin is elated to be representing his father atop Jupiter Man.
“Well, I can tell you that this is quite significant for me. I am very close to my father, we live together, we talk and discuss things a lot, and he is the reason why I have dived back down into training and into racing itself, as I was seriously thinking of doing something else. As we speak now (Wednesday afternoon), I have just completed my training for the day.
“This is a joyous moment for me, to be riding for my father, and I can tell you that, I will be giving it my all,” Calvin told The Quick Galloper.
The Baileys now join an elite gathering of fathers and sons who have joined together in competition at Caymanas Park.
Other such father and son combinations include but are not limited to, Donald Andrade who had his two sons, Boyd and Alton riding for him at some stage.
There is many times champion jockey Charles Hussey who rode regularly for his father, Laurie.
Top-notch trainer Patrick Lynch saw his son Kemar Lynch ride Tyrone Son to victory for him.
Then there is the Johnson clan. Father Issac conditioned horses, and his two sons Richard and Patrick (twins) rode his horses on different occasions.
