0
0
Jock Talk: Slade Jones
Stat pack
- 61 career wins
- 1 stakes victory (in eight starts)
- Recorded first stakes triumph with A Touch of Red in South Ocean Stakes. First win came with Arra Go Wan on June 2, 2022
- Finished seventh in the Woodbine rider standings in wins (60) and 12th in purse earnings ($1,919,309, US)
- Named a finalist for the 2022 Sovereign Award as Canada’s leading apprentice rider
Rookie success
“Winning my first stakes race, which I did for [Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame trainer] Sid Attard, was a big one, very special for me. She’s really a nice filly. So, that stakes win stands out as a big highlight from my first year of riding. Getting the chance to ride some for [trainer] Kevin Attard was nice too. I won some races for him, which was a great opportunity for me. I also won three races in one day on three occasions. There was one day where I won all of the Inner Turf races, which was probably my favourite day.”
Green scene
“The E.P. Taylor Turf Course is a beautiful track. I love it. When you are out there, it seems like you have all the time in the world to make your move. When you are going down the backside, it’s a chance to tuck in and wait for your moment. I just really enjoy riding on it. If you have the horse, it’s so easy to get out and get your position. When you turn for home, you have the chance to get your horse in stride and get them moving.”
Fishing tales
“When we were in the Grenadines, we were fishing our handlines and we caught some big barracuda. I also do a lot of spearfishing, and I enjoy doing that, especially back home in Barbados. You see lots of sharks and eels, a lot of everything, really. I haven’t seen whales and dolphins yet, but a lot of big sharks. They aren’t bad. They just leave you alone.”
Father knows best
“My dad [former rider Jono Jones] has given me a lot of very helpful advice. He told me, ‘It’s not about how many races you win, it’s when you win them.’ My dad, one the best things he shared with me is that during a race, I should try to slow everything down in my mind, to relax, to be completely calm, so that I can make the right decisions. And that helped me a lot. When I was winning a lot of races, it was when I was mentally at my best, thinking clearly when I was out there. He also taught me to speak less and let my riding do the talking. I love to watch videos of my dad riding. He was very smart out there. My dad had really good timing and the ability to position horses well, and time those runs really well too.”
Finish line
“This year, I want to win more stakes races and some of the more high-profile ones, to get the chance to be in those big races. The King’s Plate, I would love to win that, or at least get the opportunity to ride that race. I hope this year that I can have a safe season, win some nice stakes races, and be in the top five in the standings.”
