Young Adjetey stuns experienced jockeys
An 18-year-old jockey, John Adjetey, last Saturday stunned fans at the Accra Turf Club when he defeated experienced riders to win the Division 4A race during the Third Day Whitsun Race Meeting.
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Adjetey, who dropped out from school due to financial constraints, said he devoted his time to training with the horses after gaining employment at Mr Nuru Captan’s stables.
Riding his favourite horse, Sea Never Dry, the young chap came from behind to finish within an average time of 2:12 seconds over a distance of 1400 metres.
He defeated experienced and favourite jockeys such as Jonathan Mensah, who rode I Thank God and S. T. Madu, who rode Copta, to take home an undisclosed amount of money from the organisers, as well as the bragging right.
“I won this race because I have been training with Sea Never Dry, and I know how to handle her among all the horses. Since the competition started, they had always denied me the opportunity to compete because they said I am too young. I have been training hard since I dropped out of school after JHS 1, and Mr Nuru Captan gave me the job at his stables, so he is the one taking care of me,” Adjetey told the Daily Graphic moments after he won the race.
Adjetey, who expressed the desire to go back to school, pleaded with stakeholders and corporate bodies to come on board to help develop the sport to make his dream a reality.
Another thrilling race was the Maiden Division won by a new entrant, Illiasu Sulley, who rode SHATTER to clock 1:39 seconds over five furlongs.
The second and third positions went to E A Dery (Lady Secret) and J Mensah (Sugar) respectively.
J Lamptey, who rode General Salute, won the Division 4B, with R Amoah (Yoobibioo) and E A Dery (Let Them Say) taking the second and thirds places respectively.