By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Findley heads for the scales after winning aboard PAPPARAZZI on May 23, 2003. - File

ANDRON FINDLEY confessed that he never aspired to become a jockey while attending Jamaica College in the mid and late '90s.

Instead, his ambition was to become a physician. Now medicine's loss is racing's gain.

Having left Jamaica College in 1998, Findley discovered racing merely by chance.

"A friend of mine had an uncle who was a big racing fan and one day he told me I looked as though I was born to be a jockey," recalled the 21-year-old apprentice.

"In 2000 he took me to Caymanas Park and introduced me to trainer Robert Taylor. However, he didn't have enough horses and I moved in with trainer Garrett Arscott who apprenticed me and eventually recommended me to the Jockeys' School in early 2002," he added.

JOCKEYS' TRAINING SCHOOL

Continuing, Findley said he spent six months at the Jockeys' Training School and on November 26, 2002, graduated with 20 other young riders.

His batchmates included subsequent champion apprentice Paul 'Country' Francis, Oneil Mullings, Dane Nelson and Phillip Clunis.

"The experience at the Jockeys' Training School was invaluable as in addition to horsemanship, the curriculum included a range of subjects such as physical education, ethics, deportment, first aid, horse anatomy, show jumping and of course, academics," he explained.

What's more, the legendary jockey, George HoSang, was one of the riding instructors in the latter stages and this was a great learning experience for Findley, who had the distinction of delivering the valedictory address at the graduation ceremony.

The in-form rider, who is joint second in the standings with eight winners so far this season, said he was putting much of what HoSang taught him at the Jockeys' School into practice, now that he was getting good rides.

"I am riding with a lot of confidence since the start of the year, but still believe I have a lot more to learn," he conceded.

"With my apprenticeship due to end in December, I have to keep the momentum going so that when the time comes to be a full-fledged jockey I can make the transition," he added.

After graduating from the Jockeys' Training School, Findley waited six weeks before winning his first race in dramatic fashion on Saturday, January 11, 2003.

His shock win came aboard the 99-1 outsider, EXCHANGE ONLY, for trainer Gresford Smith in a 1700-metre claiming race ($100,000), the free running mare holding up by 1-1/2 lengths from highly fancied BLITZKRIEG with former champion Shane Ellis aboard.

EXCHANGE ONLY paid a fantastic $1,618.00, one of the largest win dividends ever recorded at Caymanas Park for the then minimum $1.00 stake.

"It was a day I will never forget," he declared.

"The trainer just told to me to ride the horse from it left the gates and see what happens. I was very surprised when I saw she was still in front passing the furlong pole and it was then that I realised she could win. I was so happy when she passed the post I almost fell off," he recalled.

Other winners such as CALL TO ARMS and STILL A KING were to follow in quick succession.

28 WINNERS

To date, Findley has ridden 28 winners, including 10-1 shot SELECT PRINCESS in the Clifford Stewart Memorial Cup, CELEBRATION TIME in the Mercury Sprint and LADY SHALIMAR in the Long Shot Trophy this season.

Another notable win came aboard the Barrington Rambally-trained FLYING TIGER in track record time of 56.2 over the straight five course (overnight allowance) on January 29.

Findley, already a father, revealed that his mother, Georgia, was not too keen on him becoming a jockey, but she was now supportive of his efforts and was proud of him.

With the help of his agent, Markland Hutchinson, who is popularly called 'Nicky Waugh', Findley hopes to create an even bigger impact in the months ahead.

He was mindful of the fact that it would take honesty, application and dedication. But, one day he hopes to emulate his mentor, Andrew Ramgeet, and become a champion jockey.