BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Jalon Samuel took the record for the most Gold Cup wins after riding to the prestigious title for the fifth time at the Garrison Savannah here on Sunday.

With his victory in the 39th Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, aboard Night Prowler, the 25-year-old reins-man has surpassed Patrick Husbands as the jockey with the most wins.

“It’s very special to win Gold Cup number five and have the most. It’s an honour, it’s a dream come true,” he said, after the eight-year-old Night Prowler, the oldest horse in the race, galloped across the finish line ahead of Bodie Tap, ridden by Rickey Walcott.

Defending champion Celestial Storm, ridden by Rasheed Hughes, had to settle for third place.

“I didn’t force him to do anything; the pace was a little fast out front and it was an easy setup for him. In the last furlong he really kicked … and it was perfect form,” Samuel added of the horse owned by Sir David Seale.

The North-America-based jockey won Sir David his eighth title in the premier sporting event and a purse of BDS$214 000 (US$107 000).

Night Prowler’s trainer Liz Deane told reporters after the race that she had faith in both Samuel and the horse, despite the latter’s age.

“Everybody said the horse is too old. He lost last year and was supposed to win and didn’t, but he turned up today,” she said.

Meantime, speaking after Sunday’s event, Minister of Sports John King said government was considering a programme with the Barbados Turf Club that would assist jockeys in getting training opportunities locally and overseas.

“I think this is an area where Barbadians excel, and I don’t think they have had any intervention or much help from government and I would like to be able to change that,” he said.