Hamilton Earns Outstanding Apprentice Eclipse

Weston "Wes" Hamilton's career as a jockey didn't begin in the usual way, and his apprenticeship didn't end that way either. The youngest son of veteran jockey Steve "Cowboy" Hamilton launched his riding career in Maryland at the same time his father staged a comeback after 10 years out of the saddle. 

Then the young Hamilton delivered a big reward for the efforts of father and son by earning the 2018 title as the country's leading apprentice.

Weston Hamilton, 20, ended the season with highest number of wins, 120 (13%) from 920 starts and was second by money earned to fellow Eclipse finalist Edgar Morales. Hamilton earned $3,512,264, to Morales' total of $3,680,281.

Steve Hamilton put the foundation under his son before arranging for Weston to work at Elloree Training Center near Elloree, S.C., for Franklin "Goree" Smith, who is the brother of Maryland-based trainer Hamilton Smith.

"The most important thing is to treat every horse different because they don't all want the same thing," Hamilton said. "You've just got to see what they want and give it to them. You get them to relax a certain way and every one's different."

Hamilton, who was born in Maryland but spent his teen years in his father's native Oklahoma, won his first two professional races Dec. 11, 2017, at Laurel Park. It was his fifth day riding as a pro.

Jockey agent Paul Plymire told BloodHorse earlier that Hamilton stood out because he was more patient than most. 

"That's one thing he learned from his dad," Plymire said. "You don't have to be in a panic. A lot of young riders are just eager to get them as far and as fast as they can. He'll let a horse get underneath himself and get to running."

Wes Hamilton gives credit to his father and the lessons learned while reviewing races every day. The title is particularly sweet as Steve Hamilton now wrestles with a career-threatening injury sustained in a fall last March and another in June.