Patrick Husbands, then Rico Walcott… Now, there’s Keveh Nicholls (have no idea how to pronounce his first name) who’s blazing away in Vancouver. According to the Daily Racing Form (to read it you have to register, but it’s free), racing is possibly a hereditary trait for the 21 year old –

Nicholls, who is a half-brother to one of Alberta’s leading riders, Quincy Welch, was born in Barbados. He became involved with horses through his father, who is an owner and trainer there.

“I was around horses all the time as a kid and I liked it,” he said. “I went to jockey school for six or seven months, and when you’re finished you get an exercise license. After a few more months at the track, you can get your jockey’s license.“

According to Nicholls, he got off to a good start as a rider.

“I was the leading apprentice in 2002 and 2003,” he said. “I also won the Guineas, which is the first leg of the triple crown.“

The Barbados triple crown comprises the Guineas, Mid-summer Classic, and Barbados Derby. All three races are staged at the Garrison Savannah, which is two miles outside of the capital, Bridgetown.

Nicholls first rode in Canada in 2005 at Assiniboia Downs, where he rode only 45 horses and won 5 races. Struggling to get mounts, he left before the meet concluded, which turned out to be a good thing.

“There were a lot of jockeys there at the time and I was only riding a few horses on the weekends,” he said. “I went home for a visit and I ended up winning the derby.“

No wonder his purse at last tally was just over 473-thousand Canadian bucks!