BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – For jockey Jalon Samuel winning Saturday’s Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup had extra significance. That is because in last year’s showpiece, the gifted rider crossed the line first with Show Me the Money only to be disqualified later following a steward’s inquiry.
Though shattered by the decision, Samuel picked up the pieces and started afresh and his upset win aboard Dancin David this year proved a fairytale end to the saga.
“I feel as if I have a crown on top of my head,” the 18-year-old Samuel said.
“This is something new now and it’s an experience like none other. After last year I’m just so happy to be in the winners’ circle, so I’m really keeping this one.”
He added: “Last year was a disappointment, a real letdown, but after races I always say there are other races to come, so I just put that behind me and went again.
“I got over that race the same night it happened, though, because that’s just how races go. It was a mistake and now I’ve fixed that mistake and I’m just happy that I could do it.”
Samuel’s redemption almost never happened. He was not scheduled to ride in the big race until Mingun Temple was scratched late Friday and he slipped in with prominent Barbadian businessman Sir David Seale’s five-year-old bay colt.
The young rider admitted he had again wanted the leg up on Show Me the Money but owner Lord Michael Taylor opted for veteran campaigner Patrick Husbands.
However, Samuel said he formed an instant bond with Dancin David once exercising the colt and knew winning the Gold Cup was a matter of destiny.
“I told the trainer (Liz Deane) I want to ride this horse whether it’s a reserve or not because I worked with him in the morning. I just felt me and this horse would make a good combination,” Samuel explained.
“I said I will be patient and just wait for this horse to get in and I knew once this horse gets in that I would win for sure. So said, so done.”
The victory was one of two on the day’s 10-race card for Samuel as he also won the Sandy Lane Spa Sprint Stakes and Trophy over 5-1/2 furlongs with six-year-old bay horse