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CHAMPION trainer John O’Brien and jockey Dillon Khelawan continued their fine partnership on race day three at Santa Rosa Park, Arima on March 29 when they combined for two victories, including the feature event, the Chief Commander Classic.
O’Brien and Khelawan are no strangers to the horse-racing circuit, and they closed off the 2024 season in style when they won four of the six races on the Boxing Day card, including the First Citizens Gold Cup feature race. On that occasion, Khelawan steered Hello World to a convincing Gold Cup win.
On March 29, in the final race of the day, Khelawan took Headliner over the line by more than four lengths as it dominated the field in the Chief Commander Classic, with Showtime and Valiante finishing second and third respectively.
Khelawan also powered Uncle Rog to victory in the Lord Kitchener Handicap, with O’Brien saddling another winner when veteran jockey Ricardo Jadoo took Soca Ecstacy successfully over the line in the Larry Gomes Handicap.
With the Chief Commander Classic now in the bag after another fruitful race day, O’Brien is looking to the long Easter weekend with optimism when the Champagne Stakes are contested on April 21.
[caption id="attachment_1147387" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Uncle Rog ridden by Dillon Khelawan celebrates in the winners’ circle along with trainer John O’Brien (L) after claiming victory in the Lord Kitchener Handicap Horse Race at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, Trinidad on March 29, 2025.[/caption]
“We will have at least seven horses entered and only one in the Champagne Stakes feature race,” O’Brien told Newsday on April 2. “We still have three weeks to go and you know how horses are with injuries so hopefully we’ll have seven or eight horses running.”
As he once again looks towards the dependable Khelawan, O’Brien plans to enter the Goddess Nike into the Champagne Stakes. Last year, O’Brien was also in winners’ row at the Champagne Stakes as Hello World won the feature event.
“The Goddess Nike will be the horse entered for the Champagne Stakes once we get her back from Barbados on time,” he said.
Reflecting on the March 29 race card and the performances of his riders, O’Brien said, “Dillon Khelawan rides for me every day now and he’s been doing a great job. Long may that continue. That was the first winner Ricky rode for me for quite a long time. Hopefully, we’ll come back into some luck.”
O’Brien said Headliner’s win was no great surprise, while he was pleased his other horses were also finding back their stride.
“The Commander Classic was won by Headliner who we all expected to run very well as he has been unbeaten so far. He did perform really well and won by four or five lengths,” he said.
[caption id="attachment_1147386" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Headliner (third from left) ridden by Dillon Khelawan leads from the start during the Chief Commander Classic (GR III R) Horse Race at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, Trinidad, on March 29, 2025.[/caption]
“The other two were races won by Uncle Rog who bounced back to form as he had been going through a rough period where he wasn’t in great form. And a nice three-year-old filly in Soca Ecstacy who had an injury last year and she just came back and won nicely. Hopefully, she can go on to better things.”
O’Brien said a nice crowd turned up at the Santa Rosa racetrack on March 29 and he’s hopeful there can be an even better turnout for the Champagne Stakes in a couple of weeks.
 
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