Walker-DaCosta split confirmed

One of the most successful partnerships in local racing at Caymanas Park has ended. Champion jockey Omar Walker and his guv'nor, champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, parted company on Sunday after professional differences between the two in recent weeks came to a head last weekend.

Since May 2008, Walker, a four-time champion, has been retained by DaCosta as stable jockey and both have chalked up 185 wins together from a total of 468 career wins credited to Walker.

Yesterday, Walker's agent, Gary Reid, said the jockey is "optimistic" about the future and is taking this new development in stride.

DaCosta confirmed the split on local radio station on Tuesday night.

"First of all, we have had four wonderful years. But all things must come to an end and Walker had to choose between loyalty and riding winners," he explained.

Continuing, DaCosta said when that loyalty is compromised it puts the "entire stable under pressure". He added that it reached a stage where a decision had to be made.

"It was a situation that had to be dealt with," he emphasised.

Both champions teamed up for the last time on Saturday when SIR VON won the George HoSang Trophy overnight allowance feature as the 4-5 favourite.

Victory

But coming into that meet, the rift between them became increasingly apparent to those on the ground at Caymanas Park.

DaCosta was none too happy with the fact that Walker had been riding other horses, such as the talented American colt MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE, for other stables in races where he also had runners. This was evident on Wednesday of last week when Walker rode hot favourite MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE for trainer Tony Kirlew to yet another victory, while DaCosta had both the runner-up LITTLE WASP and HEART OF GOLD in the race.

- O.C.