KINGSTON, Jamaica - The dream finally came true for apprentice rider Chad Forbes as, after nearly four full years in the saddle, the 29-year-old won his first race as a licensed jockey aboard the Rowan Mathie-conditioned Six Avenue on Sunday, March 5, 2023.
Forbes’s success came in a Restricted Allowance V contest for native-bred five-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) and imported five-year-olds and upwards (maidens) going 6½ furlongs (1,300m).
After battling with Hopenperseverance (Christopher Mamdeen) for most of the way, Six Avenue and Forbes edged away in the final furlong to win by a length and three quarters in a time of 1:26.4.
“It is a joy for me knowing that I have won my first race in my career. I mean, I started my career in 2019 and now I’m getting my ‘buss’ in 2023. Words can’t really explain the feeling right now,” an emotional Forbes stated in his post-race interview.
“I always believed and had faith in myself, no matter what. I came here every day, putting in the effort, and it has finally paid off. It took some time, but nothing happens before it’s time and so I am grateful for the win, and I thank everyone for the support and guidance throughout the year. I also thank God as well,” Forbes said.
Six Avenue broke off well at the start of the race and sat in second place behind Hopenperserance down the backstretch, with Audibility (Anthony Thomas) and Tiger Bella (Phillip Parchment) racing behind.
Going into the half-mile (800m) turn Six Avenue surged to the front while running the inside rails but Hopenperseverance, refusing to give up, regained the lead in deep stretch and a battle for supremacy then developed between the two. Forbes kept his mount well-balanced and the bay gelding found extra toward the end of the race to gain the victory.
“It was a good ride and a good win but, to be honest, I was lacking in self-confidence and that played a major role in me not really pushing forward. Now that I have gotten off the mark I am feeling better about myself and I will continue to do the work, and hopefully, I can ride more winners,” Forbes said.
“The rides were hard to get but I hope that this win could give me more opportunities to get more rides — and good rides — as well as win more races. Again, I must thank everyone for their support,” said Forbes who began his riding career in September 2019.
