Slade Jones, the teenaged son of Derby and Gold Cup winner Jonathon Jones and the grandson of the legendary Challenor Jones, is joining the jockey colony at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada, this week.
The 16-year-old, who was born in Canada, is leaving with his father on Thursday and could have his first ride at the weekend.
“I am very excited. I always wanted to be a jockey and to ride in Canada. It’s the dream of a lifetime. To get the experience of riding in Canada at an early age means a lot,” said Slade, who was named after Slade Callaghan, a family friend and fellow Barbadian who continues to ride at Woodbine.
“It’s a massive opportunity for him and I am sure he is going to make the most of it. The agent I had when I rode in Canada has helped to facilitate the process,” said Jono, the only jockey in Barbados to win the Gold Cup and the Derby in the same year (2 000) on Blast of Storm and Alaska Pete respectively.
Jono, 46, who rode 658 winners in 11 seasons in Canada and won three Breeders Stakes, will spend three weeks at Woodbine helping his son settle in. (MK)
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