Samuels delivers with Night Prowler

Jockey Jalon Samuel wrote his name on history’s page as he captured a record fifth Sandy Lane Gold Cup win aboard Night Prowler at the Garrison Savannah on Saturday.

Samuel who won his first Gold Cup for Sir David Seale in 2012 on Dancin David, now has one more title than retired riders Venice Richards and Jono Jones and the still-active Patrick Husbands.

Winning trainer Liz Deane has now won her fourth Gold Cup having won it in 2007 With Whiskey For Me, 2012 with Dancing David and 2013 with Aristodemus.

Owner Sir David Seale celebrated his seventh win.

Antiguan entry Burdines set a quick pace on the firm track with Sir David Seale’s second entry Renaisance Frolic tracking in second, while Trinidad charge Trini Aviator lapped on the outside in third.

Burdines, who had looked to give Antigua their first Gold Cup, faded at the furlong marker with Bodie Tap who had not raced since September flying, but Night Prowler and the golden boy Jalon Samuel had their own plan as they rocketed away on the outside for the win.

Trainer Romell Lovell has to be given high Praise for Bodie Tap’s second placed finish after being off the track for such a long time.

Rising Star came from dead last to finish third with Trini Aviator placing fourth.

Defending champion Celestial Storm finished a disappointing fifth.

An ecstatic Samuel said he couldn’t have asked for anything more.

“I didn’t force him to do anything, the pace was a little fast out front and it was an easy setup for him. He just kicked and it was perfect form,” Samuels said.

The 25-year-old currently based in North America also won the Spa Sprint on Masaru..

In 2018, Samuels etched his name in horse racing history when he became the second rider behind Jono Jones to capture a hat-trick on Sir Dudley Digges owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey. Prior to that, he won on two consecutive occasions in 2016 and 2017 on Dorsett and his first-ever Gold Cup was captured in 2012 on Dancin David.

An elated Sir David Seale, now 82-years-old, expressed confidence in Samuels’ ability to deliver.

He said, “The jockey told me he is going to win, so I don’t think it was unbelievable.”

Meanwhile, trainer Liz Deane said this is the most emotional Gold Cup for her because of her faith in Night Prowler to win.

She explained that many individuals doubted the ability of Night Prowler who is eight-years-old, but she remained confident he would one day deliver.

“This is the most emotional Gold Cup I have ever been in. Everybody said the horse is too old, he lost last year and was supposed to win and didn’t but he turned up today. It is a group effort, the stable has played a huge part in this. He has a wonderful groom, it is a wonderful team at Hope Field that takes care of this horse,”  Deane said.

Adding that preparation was not easy, Deane said, “It was tough with the old guy (Night Prowler). The plus for him is that Jalon came back three weeks before the race and was on him every morning.”