Steven Todd reaches milestone 300 win with Clowning Around
Saturday, March 1, 2025 was a day to remember for trainer Steven Todd as he saddled his 300th career winner with Clowning Around in the opening event on the nine-race card.
The event was a $720,000 Restricted Allowance V contest for native-bred five-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) and imported five-year-olds and upward (maidens) over 7 furlongs (1,400m).
Ridden by Dane Dawkins, Clowning Around got the better of Xylophonic Steel (Jerome Innis), and
Blitz Strike (Reyan Lewis) by a nose in a time of 1:31.1 (24.1 x 48.4 x 1:16.2).
This milestone victory marked a significant achievement for Todd, who has been working tirelessly in the industry since 2011.
Todd’s journey to 300 wins has been a remarkable one. His first winner, Surreal, back in 2011, sparked a passion that has only grown stronger over the years. With each victory, Todd’s confidence and expertise have continued to grow, earning him a reputation as one of the younger talented trainers currently in the business.
When asked about reaching the 300-win milestone, Todd remained humble and gracious.
“It’s always good to reach a new milestone,” Todd told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.
“I mean, 300 winners represent more victories, and so our next goal is to reach 400 winners. I wasn’t nervous or anxious about achieving this landmark; it’s just a matter of waiting patiently in racing and seizing the right moment to get it done,” he added.
Todd credited his team, including jockey Dane Dawkins, for their hard work and dedication.
“I think we benefited from having Dane Dawkins on board, given his experience in getting the job done. We’re grateful for that,” Todd said.
Clowning Around, the horse that helped Todd reach the milestone, has been a consistent performer for the trainer. Todd praised the horse’s readiness to race, saying, “This horse is always ready to race.”
As Todd looks to the future, he remains focused on continuing to push the boundaries of success.
“My career has been good, but you always strive for better and hope for more. However, you must also be thankful, as 300 wins is a nice milestone for me to achieve in a relatively short period. We’re just working towards more,” noted the second-generation trainer.
Todd’s most memorable moment came when he trained Dreamcometrue, a horse he considers the best he’s ever trained.