ASD 2024 Leading Rider Prayven Badre with his double stakes-winner Blazing Bo in trainer Mike Nault’s barn. (George Williams)
by G. S. Thompson
Jockey Prayven Badrie is back to defend his 2024 riding title, and he’s ready! But he’ll have quite a bit of competition for top spot when the live race meeting kicks off on Tuesday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. with the Don Gray Memorial.
There are over 15 jockeys here already and more on the way, with 2024 runner-up Damario Bynoe and three-time champion Antonio Whitehall leading the hungry pack along with Ronald Ali, Rachaad Knights, Renaldo Cumberbatch, Dane Dawkins, Neville Stephenson, Damario Bynoe, Sven Balroop, Arthur Budhu, Shavon Belle and Dario Dalrymple and Douglas Badaloo all ready for opening night.
On the trainer side, in the absence of trainer Jerry Gourneau, who will remain in the U.S. training for his primary client Henry Witt, Jr., numerous stables have a shot at the title in 2025, including 6-time leading trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr., Jared Brown, Wendy Anderson, Carl Anderson, Steve Keplin, Jr. Mike Taphorn, Mike Nault, Lise Pruitt and Sherri Laing.
Badrie, a 34-year-old Trinidad native who turns 35 in June, has been preparing for the 2025 season since February, braving Manitoba’s cold winter to gallop horses at Miracle Ranch before arriving at the track.
“The track is really nice and the horses are training better than last year,” said Badrie.
Badrie’s 2024 season was exceptional, as he captured his second title and his first outright after previously sharing a title with Antonio Whitehall in 2018. Last year, he dominated with 53 victories, including stakes wins in the R. J. Speers and Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile aboard Blazing Bo, and the Manitoba Oaks on Midnight Lady.
The journey to the top hasn’t been easy for Badrie, who first arrived at Assiniboia Downs in 2011 but only stayed for two months. After returning in 2017, he spent years exercising elite horses without being given the mounts in the actual races, but that work laid the groundwork for future success.
Badrie’s career has been marked by significant setbacks, including a broken hip and pelvis from a spill at Century Downs in 2018, followed by a broken collarbone in another accident at Century Mile in 2019, but he’s come back stronger than ever.
For 2025, Badrie has solidified key relationships with trainers that should provide him with quality mounts throughout the season. His connection with trainer Mike Nault and owners A2 Thoroughbreds and True North Thoroughbreds has been particularly fruitful.
As Nolan Allard of A2 Thoroughbreds said last year of Badrie in the Winnipeg Free Press, “He started to get his confidence back. The way he’s finishing down the lane is unbelievable.”
Prayven Badrie (inside) and trainer Mike Nault exercising horses this spring at ASD. (George Williams)
When asked what he likes best about riding, Badrie’s answer was simple: “Competition.”
The seasoned jockey has developed a keen understanding of horse psychology, noting, “Every horse is different. Some of them don’t like the inside. Some of them like the kickback, some of them like the outside.”
Badrie’s meticulous preparation includes studying past performances and watching race replays to better understand his mounts and rivals. “I watch the replays to see which are the best races the horse has run, and try to ride them like that,” he said.
Badrie’s success at Assiniboia Downs has enhanced his reputation back in Trinidad and throughout the Caribbean racing circuit. “Every time from the first day you leave,” he said about the recognition he receives at home. “It’s a big thing when you go away and have success.”
During the winter off-season, Badrie stayed active, traveling to Guyana to ride a horse for the President of that country in a major stakes race, and also competing in Barbados’ prestigious Gold Cup.
As the 2025 season begins, Badrie remains humble despite his achievements, expressing gratitude rather than overconfidence: “I’m thankful for all the opportunities I get from the owners and trainers. Assiniboia Downs has been very good to me.”
“It’s home now.”