Emile flying TT flag at Woodbine

EMILE RAMSAMMY is truly an ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago. He keeps the TT flag flying wherever he rides. He became the first TT jockey to ride in a Breeders Cup race. He has been the only TT jockey to win a jockeys’ title at the Woodbine race track in Toronto.

The 2003 season ended last Sunday with Ramsammy finishing third on 123 wins. He ended behind the eventual champion Canadian Todd Kabel, (160) and Patrick Husbands of Barbados (158). But he is not the only TT jockey there. Richard Dos Ramos is the other, although his success is moderate. With Trinidad and Tobago Day at Woodbine on November 29, it was obvious that Ramsammy was going to be one of the star attractions.... if not the star attraction. He will be 41 years old in December, is married to Lisa Carberry and they have four children. I caught up with Ramsammy at Woodbine the day before as he was getting ready for his first ride on the card. We arranged for the interview for TT Day, but long before he was called to mount for his the first ride.

It was easy access to Ramsammy. I just had to go to the Clerk of the Scales, letting him know that I was there to see Ramsammy. Within seconds, Ramsammy was looking out. I went into the jockeys’ room which is far superior to what we have at Santa Rosa Park. Two jockeys were playing table tennis, while another was reviewing the races of the previous day. Ramsammy was preparing himself to have a Trini-made soup. At that time, there was some doubt as to whether racing would have been cancelled because of the snow which fell the night before. But the jockeys decided to ride and the Woodbine officials were happy. Ramsammy rose to the top of the local scene very quickly. He established himself on the racing circuit leaving everyone in his shade as he became champion jockey for years. He got accustomed to riding five winners in one day, being first call to then champion trainer Joseph Hadeed. But Ramsammy wanted something more. Trinidad and its three tracks at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Santa Rosa Park, and Union Park, provided him with a fair share of excitement, but he wanted to expand.

So came the big decision.  Ramsammy left Trinidad in June 1990 for Canada. “It was not easy at all,” Ramsammy added. It took him years to achieve success. He was champion Woodbine rider in 1996 and 1997, a rare feat for an outsider. Having achieved a lot on the Canadian circuit, Ramsammy headed to the United States to try his hand there. Ramsammy rode for the next three years in the United States, first in Florida and then on the east coast. He then returned to Canada in 2000 and has been struggling. But he started 2003 with a bang until two nasty falls sidelined him for more than a month and caused him to lose a lot of business. “I have been doing well this season, it was a pretty tough year, but a good year. I had a couple of nasty falls which kept me away for a month from lots of business. I got back most so far, I am happy to be back.” Ramsammy could not say with any certainty which was his best ride this season. But he did talk about a number of days where he rode with lots of success. He has a soft heart for Waking Noon which he considered to be one of his best mounts for a long time.

Did Ramsammy have a problem breaking into the Canadian market? “I had a wonderful career in Trinidad, I enjoyed it, but there was just so much you could have done there. I was looking for greener pastures. I was willing to take the chance. I was prepared to wait, put up what it takes, even if it took a while. It was really tough, I couldn’t buy myself a mount. I must thank some of the guys who were here before, they helped me break the barriers,” the former TT top jockey added. He continued, “Eventually, I got on top, opened up my eyes and really got things going. I have been treated well at Woodbine...very good. The Canadians are pretty good, I don’t have a problem. I have a little bit of humor though, I am a Canadian citizen now. There are a lot of West Indians working here, like exercise riders, trainers, and grooms, so it is easier to familiarise myself.”

What about racing in Trinidad and Tobago? Ramsammy said racing in Trinidad went through a bad batch, but pointed out that the facility at Santa Rosa was world class. He said racing was picking up again and people will be willing to take chances and buy more horses. What about 2004? Ramsammy expects another tough year ahead. The new season opens on April 17. He plans to stay fit and face the challenges of the next year.  He has several riding options in the United States during the winter, but has not yet made up his mind. He has not fully ruled out riding in Trinidad for the Christmas meeting. “You must remember, all things are possible,” Ramsammy smiled.