Jockey Nugent set to return after lengthy suspension
Published:Tuesday | September 7, 2021 | 12:08 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
ACCORDING TO his agent, Leron Lee, top claiming jockey Oshane ‘Johnny’ Nugent is expected to return to the saddle after serving a lengthy suspension.
Nugent, one of the most popular riders at the track, will be making his return to Caymanas Park after completing a massive 14-race-day suspension.
“He is very excited to come back because he enjoys riding,” said Lee.
“He has been at the racetrack from a tender age and this is all he knows, because he doesn’t know how to make a shoe; he doesn’t know how to make a cake; and all he knows is riding. I think, from Saturday and beyond, we are looking for bigger and better things from Oshane,” he said.
Nugent was handed the suspension in October last year for intimidation and interference, which resulted in the fall of five horses - COLOUR ME TAN, NO MAS, SMOKE HAZE, PERSISTENT ONE and GORGEOUS GIFT - leaving the 800-metre point.
Serious head injury
This resulted in the disqualification of his mount, PRIMAL FEAR.
He appealed the racing stewards’ decision via the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) and was allowed to ride pending the outcome of his appeal.
However, Nugent suffered a serious head injury, stemming from an Ash Wednesday fall, which kept him out of action for more than three months.
Upon his return, the stewards handed Nugent the final decision, to uphold the original ruling by the JRC.
Lee underscored that the lengthy suspension had taken a toll on Nugent, but he has been receiving a lot of support from persons within the racing industry.
“Mentally, he seems to be drained after a long suspension, but the duty of an agent is to always try to keep the jockey focused and that is what I’ve been doing. I know that come Saturday, he will be mentally prepared to ride,” said Lee.
“Fourteen days is like two months without pay, and I know that it was very heartbreaking for him because he actually cried after getting suspended, and I think it was a harsh decision by the stewards to deal with an apprentice in that matter,” said Lee.
Nugent, who began riding in December 2019, has ridden 55 wins in his career.