Photo Courtesy WEG/michael burns photography © 2011
2011 Recipient: Emile Ramsammy
Emile Ramsammy, who has been one of North American racing's most consistent, resilient and successful jockeys, was honored with the 2011 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award, on Woodbine Oaks day.
Born December 11, 1962, Ramsammy first made a name for himself in his native Trinidad, hailed as one of the best jockeys the Caribbean has ever produced. He won three Cockspur Gold Cups and established several riding records through the 1980's. In all, he rode 500 winners, including the 1989 season in which he won 82 races in only 43 racing dates.
During a vacation to Canada in 1989, he met the late Jerry Meyer and was persuaded to ride at Woodbine by the veteran trainer.
It's a decision he hasn't regretted one bit.
The coveted Gomez Award is given to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to the sport.
Presented annually on Woodbine Oaks day at Woodbine, the honour is in memory of one of the sport's most heralded and revered performers. The Cuban-born Gomez died of complications after a three-horse accident in the 1980 Canadian Oaks.
As a lasting reminder of his contributions, a life-size statue of Gomez, who called Toronto home and raised a family there, proudly overlooks Woodbine's pristine walking ring. A replica is presented to each year's honouree.
Ramsammy regards the Gomez Award as one of the highest honours he's received in his riding career.
"Thank you so much," said Ramsammy. "First of all, I would like to thank the Trinidad & Tobago racing authority for getting me involved in riding school and encouraging me to be a jockey.
"This is a great accomplishment for me and the award is very nice," continued Ramsammy. "I would like the trainers, the owners and everyone who supported me. Thanks to everybody."
He has won a number of key stakes races in Canada, including the 1996 and 2006 Queen's Plate, with Victor Cooley and Edenwold, respectively. He was also the recipient of the 1996 and 1997 Sovereign Award as the country's top rider.
Ramsammy, who won the 1996 and 1997 Woodbine riding titles courtesy of 170 and 175 wins, moved his tack to California in 1998, where he rode 68 winners, along with seven stakes triumphs, returning to the Toronto oval the next year. From 2002-2005, he hit the double-digit mark in stakes scores. He notched the 2,000th victory of his career on November 29, 2009.
"Canada is my home and so is Woodbine. I still love what I do. I've been very lucky in this sport and have won some really nice races," said the rider, who finished in the top seven in Woodbine jockey standings each year from 2000-2010.
He is the first active Woodbine rider to be honoured with Gomez Award since Robert Landry in 2003.
Ramsammy joins Ron Turcotte, Johnny Longden, Sandy Hawley, Don MacBeth, Chris Rogers, Jeff Fell, Lloyd Duffy, Hugo Dittfach, Robin Platts, Larry Attard, Don Seymour, David Gall, Richard Grubb, Irwin Driedger, David Clark, Jim McKnight, Chris Loseth, Richard Dos Ramos, Robert Landry, Francine Villeneuve, Sam Krasner, John LeBlanc Sr., George Ho Sang, Jack Lauzon, Robert King Jr. and last year's recipient, Stewart Elliott, as Gomez honourees.