Eclipse Awards: Weston Hamilton

Maryland’s tradition of producing top-class apprentice jockeys continued in 2018 with the emergence of Weston Hamilton.

Hamilton led all of his North American-based peers in both wins – with 118 – and mount earnings, with $3,440,135 through the final day of his apprentice allowance Dec. 22.

For the accomplishments, Hamilton is an Eclipse Award finalist for outstanding apprentice jockey of 2018.

Hamilton, 20, followed his father, jockey Steve Hamilton, into racing and the two spent last year competing against each other. In fact, Hamilton’s first professional victory – aboard I Just Wanna Win on Dec. 11, 2017 at Laurel – came over his fourth-place-finishing dad.

Weston Hamilton won both his mounts on that program. Hamilton won four races on the Feb. 18 card at Laurel.

“That was an awesome day,” Steve Hamilton told Daily Racing Form’s Jay Hovdey. “He’s working hard, getting up early every morning, and doing what he’s supposed to do. It’s paying off for him.”

Weston Hamilton celebrated another four-win day June 2 at Laurel. His first stakes win came at Delaware Park aboard Come Sundown in the $100,000 First State Dash on Sept. 29.

:: 2018 Eclipse Finalists: Profiles and photos for all categories

Steve Hamilton said his son caught the racing bug on a trip from Oklahoma, where the apprentice was raised, to Maryland.

“When we came back here to Maryland to visit my wife’s family, I went back to the racetrack to see everybody,” Steve Hamilton told Hovdey. “Wes took a look around and said, ‘You know, I think I might want to ride.’ ”

Safe to say, the boy can ride.