Peruvian-born jockey Edgar Prado, who became the 16th jockey in the United States to ride 6,000 winners, says he treasures every moment he spent in Jamaica.

“It is a nice experience to ride here in Jamaica for the first in my career in the saddle. I have been here from Friday and everyone has been good to me, I could not have asked for more,” said the 2006 Kentucky Derbywinning jockey.

“It is always good to do things for the first time and to meet people for the first time as well as to know places,” he added.

Prado, 47, who departed the island after he guided the Lorne Kirlew – trained Talented Tony K to second place in the 94th running of the Jamaica Derby on Saturday, said that he will always be available to ride at Caymanas Park.

“I never knew so much people here in Jamaica watch races from overseas, they even know more about myself than I do. Unfortunately I have to go but the people are very friendly and I hope that one day I can come back to ride,” said Prado, who received a rousing welcome from racing fans when he entered the Parade Ring to ride Cutter in the seventh race, his first ever ride in Jamaica.

The American-based Prado, who secured three rides on the 12-race Derby programme, won his first race on local soil when he guided the Kirlew – trained Lucky Michelle to victory in the 10th race over 1,300 metres.

“Jockeys don’t win races…horses win races, jockeys only guide them to victory, just stirring them to the wire but sometimes they need a little assistance and you just have to know what to do at the right time,” Prado explained.

Prado, who is a US Racing Hall-of-Fame jockey, also shared his views on the local racing surface. “The race track here isn’t much different from the ones back in America.

Although they don’t have any turf course here, they do take care of the track well, the atmosphere and environment are good. Congrats to the racing people,” he affirmed.