Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Charles Hussey's 50th birthday party held at the Terra Nova Hotel on Saturday, June 23.Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
When you are on top of your game; lauded by your peers and country for your stellar achievements; you have a beautiful and doting wife, and family to support you; not to mention family friends and colleagues hailing you as a man of exemplary character, substance and style, my dears yours is the life in the winner's circle!
Multi-repeat champion jockey, and avid cycling enthusiast, Charles Hussey, whose skills as a first-class rider in has been the stuff of legends. His prowess in the saddle, bringing not only vicarious triumph but many a financial returns to many.
Charles Hussey has brought fame, fortune, and a sense of triumph to those who recognised his prowess as a jockey.
He is, however, by popular acknowledgement - a gentleman, in name and nature, a characteristic that has made even those whom his skills have put to shame, ardent admirers and supporters of the soft-spoken jockey.
So when it was noised about, a few weeks ago, that he would soon be celebrating his 50th birthday, the affair became one of the most anticipated social occasions of the season. Those making the cut to the expected fabulissimo were invited to park across the street from the Terra Nova, from which they were shuttled across in a luxury coach. Upon arrival at the hotel, guests entered the partying area, through the 'starting gate', to be greeted by the champion himself and a receiving line that included his parents wife and siblings. They were then presented with a perfectly chilled flute of Champagne and then my dears, like they say at the tracks "they (we) were off"!
Precious angels, Moët & Chandon was the preferred Champagne, and sweet-baby Jesus, did it flow!! My daahlings, it did and all night long!
Sport of kings
Hosted at the poolside and garden terrace, the theme of the sport of kings was unmistakably present everywhere. From the winner's circle, through to paddock, track and stable, it was clear that Charles Hussey was not only celebrating his 50th, but also the sport that made him an icon in horse-racing circles, nationally and internationally!
And why not? With more than 1,200 winners on the national circuit and four titles as Champion Jockey, and an additional 800 plus winners on the North American circuit, Charles Hussey is synonymous with horse racing!
My dears, the affair moved from its cocktail phase and into some serious partying when Monsignor Richard Albert took to the stage on the invitation of master of ceremonies, Michael Anthony Cuffe, and invoked the blessing. He said a special prayer for the birthday boy and his family. Then Cuffe passed the baton to party band Fab 5.
My daahlings, in between the sips and spills, thrills and fab-dancing, guests just simply lived it up on the dance floor! No, my dears, not one of those parties where people simply stood around waiting for something to happen. This was a happening-party, made that much more so because the who's who of business, the horse-racing industry, glam society, and, of course - the beautiful people, and pumpkins, made it happen like y'all wouldn't imagine!
On the social Richter scale - definitely a tenner!
Many family member and friends jetted in from across the globe for the occasion.
Guest list
Family members spotted were his elegantly poised and beautiful wife Alicia; John and the fabulous Valerie Marzouca, and their granddaughters Jessica, Joanne, Danielle; Dr. Don Christian and companion Hyacinth Davidson; art collector extraordinaire Wallace Campbell; the elegant Jennifer Lim; Stewart and Nadine Campbell; Mr. Outram Hussey and sons; the fashionable Michelle Hussey; Percy and Eleanor Hussey; Anthony Harris and wife Angie, their fabulous daughter Christelle Harris with beau Justus Arison; Andrew and Paula Harris; Andrew Hussey; O'Brien and Donna Robinson; Liz McAdam; Vance and Michelle Campbell; Matthew Marzouca and his Italian belle; long-time family friend Florence Sands.
Also out were The Most Hon. Glynne Manley and her daughter, the lovely Janine Bunting; Barclay and Deirdre Ewart; the oh so elegant Lorna Myers; Douglas Vaz; Denis Lalor; Joe Matalon and his fabulous wife Bernadette; William and Andrea Chin See; MP Errol Ennis; Dr. Ossie Harding; Howard Hamilton; Phillip Feanny; Tom and Rose Tavares-Finson; Captain Michael and Thalia Lyn; Karlene MaxBrown and her fabulous daughter Sophia MaxBrown; Russell and Carol Hadeed; Mrs. Janette Stewart; Dale and Henrietta de Lisser; Stephen and Jennifer Henriques; Captain Michael and Ann Marie Feanny; Robert and Anthea Gore with their daughter Amanda Gore; Gene and Lesley Lee; Captain David McRae; Andrew Bogle and companion Charmaine Chin Loy; Dr. Cliff Bradford and companion Ms. Carol Hall.
Dr. Freddie Clarke; Lester Woolery; Alrick Pryce and the fashionable Carmen Brown; Yogi Fernandez; Lucille Harris; Patrick Wong and companion Peta-Gay MacMillan; the lovely Stephanie Scott; Xavier and Rona Chin; Mario and Fiona Machado, she wearing the purr-fect little, black dress; Dr. Brian and Beverly Morgan; Christopher and Sandra Annamunthado; Roger Malik and Amber Vicens Stewart; Ravi and Preya Daswani; Emil and Jennifer Azan; Dominic and Gabriela Azan; Omar and Lisanne Azan; Andrew and Maria Azar; Daryl and AnnMarie Vaz; Mortimer and Jackie Gregg with their daughter Jordana Gregg; Rita Yap; Simon and Dawn Browne; Bruce Baylis and Susan Burke; the lovely Annette Burrowes; Mr. and Mrs. Alex Haber and family; Paul and Denise Chen; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Dacosta; Ardelle Dalla Costa; Bob and Patrice Holness; Anthony and Tara Nunes; Joanne Ortusu and family; Tim and Mrs. Hillis Nunes; David and Indi Couch; Mark and Selena Wong and their daughters; Mark and Susan Taylor; Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Shields; Carolyn Schwab and Tony Baylis Mrs. Dana Cuffe out with husband Michael Anthony and their three children; Ms. Helen Leeshun; Peter Aldridge; Oneil Samuels; plus several others.
