Jamaica’s fast-rising apprentice jockey, Tajay Suckoo, will be out of the saddle for at least five weeks following a serious injury sustained during early morning gallops.
The incident unfolded during a routine workout when Suckoo’s two-year-old mount veered sharply near the six-furlong marker, spooked by the unexpected sight of a fallen horse nearby. The sudden swerve toward the rail threw Suckoo off balance, causing him to hit the track hard. He was swiftly taken to hospital, where scans later revealed a fractured ankle.
Still fifth in the jockeys’ championship standings, Suckoo now faces an unplanned stretch on the sidelines. Speaking from his hospital bed, he voiced concern over the delay in receiving medical attention but remained grounded about the reality of the sport.
“It wasn’t easy waiting that long in pain, but things happen in this line of work. You ride knowing any moment could go sideways,” said Suckoo.
His leg has since been casted, and a return evaluation has been scheduled in just over a month. Until then, the 21-year-old will focus on healing and rehabilitation — a temporary detour in what has otherwise been a meteoric rise on the local racing scene.
Though sidelined, Suckoo remains mentally locked in:
“I just want to come back stronger. This is a pause — not a stop.”
