By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterWINSTON 'FANNA' Griffiths, O.D., is undoubtedly the most accomplished rider in the 44-year history of Caymanas Park.
There are simply no worlds left to conquer for the mild-mannered jockey who turned 45 on September 18.
He has not only ridden more winners than any other jockey at Caymanas Park, but the English-speaking Caribbean as well.
In a career spanning 28 years, Griffiths has won an unprecedented five jockeys' championships, established a world record eight consecutive classic winners including all five in 1992 (Triple Crown winner Milligram, Guineas and Oaks winner Clasique) and booted home a record 39 classic winners (among them 10 Derby winners).
If that wasn't enough, he was the first racing personnel to attain 1000 winners locally, the milestone coming aboard EROS in the Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint on November 13, 1993.
For his outstanding contribution to the sport, Griffiths was conferred with the National Honour, the Order of Distinction (O.D.) on Heroes Day, 1999. He is also the recipient of the coveted None Such Award for lifetime achievement.
Throughout his career Griffiths has been associated with some truly outstanding horses.
These include two-time 'Horse of the Year' LEGAL LIGHT who dominated the top class in the late '70s and early '80s; ROYAL DAD who had the distinction of being the first Triple Crown winner at Caymanas Park in 1981 before his untimely death the following year; 1986 Derby winner PRINCE CONSORT, 1989 Triple Crown winner and three-time 'Horse of the Year' THE VICEROY, the 1994 'Horse of the Year' EROS who is perhaps the best sprinter this country has produced, not to mention I'MSATISFIED and others such as ROBIN GOODFELLOW and the fillies NAHEELAH and DISTINCTLY NATIVE.
SINGLE OUT
"All were good and a few great," said Griffiths between races on Saturday. "But it is hard to single out one and say this is the best.
"Many racing fans would say Legal Light is the best I have ridden. I believe he is one of the most beloved horses ever to race at Caymanas Park and also helped me to establish myself as a big race jockey.
"Both Legal Light and Eros had long and successful campaigns and I think they are the best I have ridden. If I was forced to make a choice it would be Eros. I would say he is my personal favourite as he could both sprint and stay," he explained.
Although limiting his number of rides in the past year or so, 'Fanna' continues to make an impact at Caymanas Park, so much so that his large and voval fan club remains intact.
The 'gentleman' jockey enjoyed a fruitful day in the saddle on Saturday, booting home three winners in Restless Warrior, Distinctly Irish and Buyabook (his 28th win of the season) to move closer to the 1500 mark.
His career tally stands at 1,482 and if his recent form is anything to go by, he only needs to show up for the remaining racedays in 2003 to attain the milestone before year's end.
Always a man for the big occasions, Griffiths is looking forward to this Saturday's big Superstakes meet with much anticipation.
He is down to partner the hot ante-post favourite I'MSATISFIED for trainer Philip Feanny in the Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint, the reigning 'Horse of the Year' bidding for a third consecutive sprint title.
SETBACK
With his chosen ride A KING IS BORN not expected to start, having suffered a setback (stone squeeze) in his preparation, Griffiths will switch to stable-companion HERECOMESFUDGIE in the showpiece event over 2000 metres, a race he last won with The Viceroy in 1990.
Griffiths has high hopes for the Feanny-trained HERECOMESFUDGIE who will be firing on all cylinders. Knowing the resolve of the man, he could easily rise to the occasion aboard Joseph Duany's staying three-year-old colt.
Before concluding the interview, I asked Griffiths why he never followed the route of jockeys such as Richard Depass, George HoSang, Charles Hussey, Emilio Rodriques, Andrew Ramgeet, Trevor Simpson, Wesley Henry and Shane Ellis by trying his luck abroad. He had this to say:
"I was never fascinated about riding abroad as I was committed to raising a family and being away would not have been a good idea.
"Furthermore, my career was going very well a few years after I started riding in 1975 and it would be foolhardy to leave certainty for uncertainty," said the father of three - all boys.
A recipient of many awards, he lists his mentors as Feanny, top flight English jockey Joe Mercer who taught him his typical fanning style of riding while riding in Jamaica in 1976 and, of course, trainer Burt Tomlinson, the man who discovered him in Grange Hill, Westmoreland nearly 30 years ago and brought him to Caymanas Park.
Griffiths rode his first winner, UTTER BLISS for trainer Charlie James and the rest, as they say, is history. Ride on, Sir Winston.
