Maragh

Over the years Jamaican jockeys such as George HoSang, Charles Hussey, Andrew Ramgeet, Emilio Rodriquez, Wesley Henry, Winston Thompson and, of course, Shaun Bridgmohan, have distinguished themselves on the North American circuit.

But the list does not stop there as during the past year or so Rajiv Maragh has been making waves in a big way in New York.

Rajiv, the 23-year-old son of jockey-turned-trainer Collin Maragh, is currently second to Ramone Dominguez in the jockeys' standings at Aqueduct, and is so hot that the stewards at the New York track recently handed him a seven-day suspension for careless riding in order to cool him down.

Talented young rider

With time on his hands, Rajiv seized the opportunity to visit Jamaica last weekend. Accompanied by his father, he was well received by racing fans on a visit to Caymanas Park last Saturday, as a guest of the promoters.

Many turfites hailed the talented young rider who has become a favourite among fans of simulcast racing from the United States. They could often rely on Rajiv to put money in their pockets (so they claim), as he did three weeks ago when closing a double aboard his father's horse, CAT RADIO, in the last race on the Aqueduct programme.

The question on everybody's lips: When will he ride in Jamaica? His reply:

"I would love to ride here at Caymanas Park for a day or two so that people can see me in the flesh. But I have many commitments in the States and it will not be easy to find an opening in the near future. "But I can assure you that whenever the opportunity presents itself, I'll do it ... I'm really looking forward to riding here and it could happen in the latter part of the year," he explained.

In his blood

A past student of Meadowbrook High, Rajiv left Jamaica at age 13 to attend school in Florida. But racing was in his blood and, after leaving high school, it did not take any encouragement from his father for him to become a jockey.

He rode for the first time as an apprentice to his father at Calder in 2004, his mount MR RAJIV failing to figure. But the experience was invaluable and months later Rajiv rode his first winner at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida. He has never looked back.

He won apprentice titles on two occasions and to date has ridden over 850 winners not only at Aqueduct, Calder and Tampa Bay, but other tracks such as Gulfstream, Keeneland, The Meadowlands, Churchill Downs and Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Last year he rode more than 200 winners on the east coast, including a fabulous five-timer on a programme at Monmouth Park.

When Aqueduct is out of season, Rajiv say he enjoys riding most at Manmouth Park, as he claims the perks at the east coast track are among the best in North America.

Locally trained

Quiet and unassuming, Rajiv is the first of three sons born to Collin and Jean Maragh.

In the late '90s, the horse RAJMIR, then trained locally by Collin, was named for two of his sons - Rajiv and Shamir. Collin migrated to Florida in 1999 - a year after his son, who looks a lot like Allen 'Bongo John' Maragh, who rides in Florida.