A beaming Omar Walker on his 1,200th winner Pretty Girl on May 7, 2022. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
Tribute to a legend: Omar Walker honoured with trophy race
Six-time champion jockey credits horses for his success, reflects on his illustrious career
With a record six championship titles and 1,262 wins under his belt, Omar “Hot” Walker is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished jockeys in the sport in the history of Caymanas Park. However, despite his impressive credentials, Walker remains humble and quick to deflect attention from himself.
In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide, he revealed his secret to his success: “Horses make jockeys, not jockeys make horses.”
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Walker’s statement may seem counter-intuitive, given the widespread perception that a jockey’s skill and expertise are the primary factors in achieving victory. However, Walker’s experiences have taught him otherwise.
Despite his illustrious career, Walker is struggling to find his rhythm this season, boasting only two victories from 22 mounts.
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“To be honest, it’s not about the young jockeys winning races at the moment. It’s horse racing, and if you don’t get the good horses, you can’t win races. They’re getting the horses, and it’s their time to shine now. You have to give them that; it’s just life,” Walker said.
“If I get the rides, I’m going to win for sure, but it’s the horse that makes the jockey, not the other way around. The sport is called horse racing, not jockey racing, so people need to look at it that way. If you don’t get the rides, how are you going to win races?” Walker shared.
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Throughout his illustrious career, Walker has accumulated an impressive array of victories in Classic races, including the coveted Triple Crown. He has also dominated numerous high-stakes events, boasting an impressive three wins in the prestigious Diamond Mile. However, one triumph stands out above the rest: his thrilling 2018 win in the Burger King-sponsored Superstakes, where he rode the exceptional She’s A Maneater to victory.
“The most memorable big race I’ve won was aboard She’s A Maneater in the Burger King-sponsored Superstakes. She was experiencing some issues, so I informed her trainer, Wayne DaCosta, and he worked his magic to resolve them. As a result, she performed flawlessly and won the race,” Walker remembered.
Walker also took a moment to express his heartfelt gratitude to the late Wayne DaCosta, crediting him as the driving force behind his successful career.
“My first winner was Supernatural, trained by the late Wayne DaCosta. Straight from the beginning, Mr DaCosta believed in me and pushed me to become the person I am today. I’m forever grateful for that. Although I’m saddened by his loss, I acknowledge the profound impact he had on my career. If it weren’t for Mr DaCosta, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and for that, I have immense respect for him,” Walker noted.
In a special tribute, Walker was honoured at the races on Saturday, March 22, 2025, with a trophy race held in his name.
“It’s a truly wonderful feeling, as having a race run in your name is typically a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m deeply grateful to SVREL and Mr Denzil Miller for this tremendous honour. Often, people receive ‘flowers’ only after they’re gone, so it’s especially meaningful to receive ‘flowers’ while still alive. I genuinely appreciate this gesture and am motivated to continue working hard and getting better,” Walker ended.
