Brian Harding - file

The absence of champion jockey Brian Harding from Caymanas Park this year is a body blow to the promoters.

Harding who won the jockey's title for the second year in a row last December has opted to remain in his native Trinidad and Tobago in 2007. Based on his utterings, and reading between the lines, it is unlikely that he will ever return here on a full-time basis to ride. He has admitted that he really loves Caymanas Park and Jamaica, but I think his family commitments will keep him away.

In his two years as champion jockey, Harding managed to build up quite a fan base. Punters loved him for his clean, professional approach to riding. There was also his supreme confidence, his judgement of pace and strength in several close finishes with leading local jockeys.

Drama and excitement

Despite a big emphasis on the gambling aspect of the sport, racing can provide a great deal of drama and excitement for spectators. For the racing fan there is nothing more exciting than seeing two top jockeys in a head to head duel and getting everything out of their mounts in the final furlong of a race.

In the past 10 years local fans have not been able to see the island's top riders in action on a consistent basis. Most of these jockeys have been riding in North America where there are many more tracks, many more races and racedays. Former champion jockeys Andrew Ramgeet, Shane Ellis and Emelio Rodriquez are all plying their trade in either the United States or Canada. These riders have occasionally visited for top race meets like the Jamaica Derby and the Red Stripe Superstakes, but that is certainly not enough.

The presence of many good jockeys is important to the racing industry. Like any other sport, spectators like to see the best in action. The battle between Harding and Jamaica's Trevor Simpson for the riders' title in 2005 was the basis for many heated arguments close to the end of that year and attracted many fans to the track. The duel was good for the riders, punters and trainers. It brought out the best from both riders whenever they entered a race. Punters could wager their money knowing that the jockeys would do everything in their power to win.

Trainers were also convinced that their horses would get the best possible assistance in a race.

Many Harding fans were looking forward to seeing him aboard the impressive Anthony Nunes-trained MUCHO GUSTO in this year's Classic races. The Phillip Feanny-trained RUM TALK, with Trevor Simpson aboard, touched off MUCHO GUSTO on the line in the Jamaica Two-year-old Stakes on Boxing Day and the battle between both colts is expected to be one of the highlights of the 2007 racing year. Harding has said he will be available for special racedays this year, so we could still see him in action on Guineas Day, April 7 and on the June 2 Digicel Jamaica Derby Day.