Home side prevail as Team Barbados beat Britain in Jockeys Challenge

Team Barbados emerged triumphant in Saturday’s International Jockeys' Challenge at the Garrison Savannah after a thrilling four-race battle with their British counterparts that went down to the wire.

Jamie Spencer captained Team GB and was joined by Danny Tudhope, Luke Morris, Seamie Heffernan, Stevie Donohoe and Louis Steward.

The visiting side enjoyed a dream start in the first race after Provence, under Donohoe, dominated throughout the 1570m contest and skipped home ahead of Morris' mount Graceful.

Donohoe said: "It was a big thrill to win on my first ride at the Garrison. I got an easy lead and kept it simple. The track is much sharper than Chester and very exciting to ride."

Spencer then looked set to consolidate his side's early lead when his mount Eyecatcher hit the front at the two-furlong marker in the 1100m second heat, only to be denied in the shadow of the post by Mischief Maker, ridden by local apprentice Eric Daniel.

With two races left, the sides were level with 43 points apiece. Up stepped Louis Steward, whose mount Sing Sing was prominent in the betting but broke slowly and encountered trouble in running before weaving his way through the field to strike.

Steward said: "Wow! That was a real thrill. I can’t wait to get home to tell my boss Sir Michael Stoute, who grew up close to the Garrison, that I rode a winner here. I’ll also tell him how much I have come to love his home country."

Team GB went into the final race with a slender one-point advantage but were trounced by their opponents whose mounts, led by N’Rico Prescod aboard Rightontime, filled the first three places.

However, Spencer was delighted with his side’s performance and said: "It was brilliant to win two of the four races. Stevie and Louis were outstanding and Seamie, Danny and Luke all played their parts. I was happy too with my second placing but all credit to the local riders. My team gave it their best shot but the Bajan jockeys fully deserved to win."

Rasheed Hughes, captain of Team Barbados, said: "My boys enjoyed competing against some of the world’s leading riders. They were really good sports and we look forward to renewing the rivalry next year."

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