AMERICAN JOCKEY, James Long is back in the island to resume his riding career at Caymanas Park after an absence of five years.
Long, who for many years in the early and mid-90s was president of the Jockeys' Association of Jamaica, gave up the post in 1998 and returned to the United States.
According to the point-sized jockey, he has been riding with some success on the Kentucky circuit at Turfway Park, River Downs and Churchill Downs.
Since returning to the island over a week ago, Long has been trying to get the necessary paperwork in place so that he can begin riding. According to, Long, he is "extremely fit" as he and fellow jockey Leo "Twitch" Miller have been running at least five miles per day in order to maintain peak fitness.
"I am ready to take up where I left off", said Long, who won the 1988 Benson & Hedges Gold Cup aboard the Andrew Nunes-trained PAPER CHASE and the 1990 Governor's Cup aboard the Richie Phillips-trained RESTLESS QUE.
In 10 years of riding at Caymanas Park, Long has ticked off 153 winners.
