JALON WINS HIS SEVENTH GOLD CUP

Article by David Harris

Jalon Samuel rode Public Sector to a sensational victory in the 43 rd. running of Sandy Lane Gold Cup before a massive crowd at the Garrison Savannah on Saturday evening. 

 Riding from Gate Eight, Samuel timed his gallop on the gelding in the home stretch perfectly, moving from second last in the ten-horse field with a quarter mile remaining to pip Smokin T ridden by Antonio Bishop in a time of one minute 51.3 seconds. Pubic Sector, a gelding is owned by Melrose Racing and trained by Rommel Lovell.  

 The four-year old thoroughbred Bulldoze the pace setter in the race placed third with Kyle Carter in the saddle. 

 Samuel, 32, has won the Caribbean’s most prestigious horse race for an unprecedented seventh time, having also crossed the finish line first in 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2023.  

Owner of Melrose Racing, the Most Honorable Peter Odle attributed fortune and Samuel’s extraordinary riding skills for the victory. 

“I was quietly confident, but you know there is nothing certain in horse racing. I say all of the time, it is 85 percent luck, and 15 percent preparation. We knew we had done the preparation; we just did not need anything to go wrong before or during the race.” Odle said after the trophy presentation. 

“A jockey can make a huge difference in a race, and on Saturday, Jalon Samuel proved why he has won seven Gold Cups. He is masterful rider and took the horse. We had said that we were going to be somewhere fifth or sixth, just off the pace. When he came past the first time, he was dead last- and I thought to myself; well, the fellas are really going at it. That is where Jalon is really good because he can actually judge the pace. That race ran in 1.51 that’s one of the fastest times “, he added.      

 This year’s race had a total guaranteed prize of $316,500, with the winner receiving $173,000.