AMERICA-BASED Jamaican jockey Shaun Bridgmohan made a triumphant home debut on Saturday, winning Division One of the $780,000 George HoSang Trophy while riding Fearless  Soul, marking his 3,400th career win.

Bridgmohan, who was born in Spanish Town, St Catherine, had recorded 3,399 winners, 3,129 second-place finishes, and 2,853 thirds from 22,322 mounts with earnings of US$143,715,470 in North America, before Saturday.

Bridgmohan, who had migrated to the United States with his family at the age of 13, said that he will cherish this landmark on home soil for the rest of his life.

“The feeling is great to reach that milestone in my career in Jamaica,” he told the
Jamaica Observer. “This is hometown, and I did it in front of all these people. It’s a great moment in my career and I am happy.”

In a display of his prowess in the saddle Bridgmohan brought the Philip Feanny-conditioned
Fearless Soul from behind horses to win the Restricted Allowance IV contest for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) and imported four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) over five and a half furlongs (1,100m), by four and a quarter lengths.

It wasn’t a good start for Bridgmohan aboard
Fearless Soul, however, as he was crowded out early after the start as
Strike Smart (Phillip Parchment) and
Loyal Action (Tevin Foster) led the way. Bridgmohan took his time, therefore, getting
Fearless Soul into his stride but once he did, the four-year-old chestnut colt came up to the pack going off the turn for the home bend and surged clear for an easy victory at the wire.
Strike Smart finished second, as
Royal Ash (Raddesh Roman) came in third with a final time of 1:07.2.

Foster should not be left out of the celebration party as he rode four winners on the nine-race card to take the jockeys’ honour.

Foster’s winners were highlighted by
Kem, who won Division Two of the George HoSang Trophy. Trained by Paul Swaby,
Kem won the race by a neck ahead of
Bazinga (Oneil Mullings) and
Joy Is Golden (Dane Dawkins), in a time of 1:08.2.

Foster’s other winners were
Speed On Wheels for trainer Howard Jaghai in the Eight Thirty Sprint;
She’s A Godgift for trainer Leroy Tomlinson in the fourth race; and
Bern Notice for trainer Rohan Crichton in the day’s fifth race.