Jockey Able still hopeful of securing first win

Having failed to so far secure a victory in the saddle, female apprentice jockey Abigail Able says she remains hopeful that she will be able to break her drought soon.

Able is one of three female apprentice jockeys who began riding on September 29 last year at Caymanas Park. She has, however, failed to pass the winning post in front from 46 mounts so far.

In fact, Able’s fellow jockey Samantha Fletcher has recorded three wins, while Tamicka Lawrence has failed to win a race.

However, the 22-year-old Able told The Gleaner that she has been working hard to improve her craft and that she is very hopeful that her time will come soon.

“I don’t feel any way, honestly, because each time I ride out there, I learn something new, and so, by the time I win my first race, everybody is going to say, ‘She looks good and she is all right and she is coming on’,” said Able.

“This drought just makes me feel stronger and builds my confidence,” she said. “I am not rushing anything because by the time I am ready to win a race, I will be a better jockey, and when I start, I don’t have any stop to stop,” said Able, who is a past student of Waterford High School.

“Not because I am not winning any races; I get rides, and so, even if it is one ride I get, I just go out there and show my talent and be grateful for it,” she added.

Able shared that she has received a lot of support and encouragement from trainers and fellow jockeys, and this has helped to build her confidence.

“The trainers have accepted me well because they have been saying, ‘You know that you are coming on and you start look better in your saddle and you start looking comfortable’,” Able said.

“That is what I wanted to hear from them long time, and so, the more I work and the more rides I get, I come on more faster,” she said.

“My confidence is still high, and nobody can’t break it even though I don’t win any race as yet,” Able stated.