- WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
William Chin-See (left), chairman of Caymanas Track Limited, presents the 'Most Improved Trainer' award to Barrington Rambally at the 16th None Such Horse-Of-The-Year ceremony, at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston last week Thursday.
DERBY AND Superstakes winner DISTINCTLY IRISH dominated the 16th annual None Such/Horse of the Year Awards ceremony at the New Kingston Hilton Hotel last Thursday evening, copping eight awards including that for 'Horse of the Year'.
If that wasn't enough, the gelding's owner Howard Hamilton left the function with a string of awards, including the coveted None Such award for lifetime achievement in racing.
Hamilton's other outstanding campaigner, the outgoing 'Horse of the Year' A KING IS BORN, was named first runner-up and stable-companion I'MSATISFIED, the 2000 Triple Crown winner and 2002 'Horse of the Year', the second runner-up.
All three are trained by Philip Feanny who captured his 14th trainer's title with over $32 million in stakes.
CHAMPION STAYER
In addition to the 'Horse of the Year' award, DISTINCTLY IRISH was named Champion Stayer, Champion 3-y-o, Champion 3-y-o (Male), Best 3-y-o Stayer and Best 3-y-o Stayer (Male) as well as Best 3-y-o Middle Distance Performer and Champion Local Bred Horse. His dam, DISTINCTLY NATIVE (also the mother of A KING IS BORN) was named Broodmare of the Year.
Both DISTINCTLY IRISH and A KING IS BORN are bred by Ken Gooden.
A KING IS BORN was named Champion Sprinter, Champion Middle Distance Performer, Champion 4-y-o and up and also topped the four-year-old and up minor categories such as Best 4-y-o and up sprinter along with middle distance performer.
Barrington Rambally with 23 winners copped the award as the Most Improved Trainer, apprentice Howard Newell the Most Improved Rider, nosing out returning Champion Apprentice Paul 'Country' Francis for that award and, for the third straight year, Trevor Simpson emerged Champion Jockey.
CHAMPION OWNER
For the eighth consecutive year, Henry Jaghai J.P. won the Champion Breeder award, while Ruth Hussey had the distinction of becoming the first woman in the history of local racing to receive the Champion Owner award.
Champion Sire was HAM Stable's resident stallion Royal Minister once again, while Delroy Shaw from the stables of Ryan Darby picked up his award as Champion Groom. MR. VIGOROUS, trained by Garrett Arscott for the greater part of 2004, was voted Claimer of the Year.
Other minor awards, most of which were presented at Caymanas Park on Saturday, are as follows:
I'MSATISFIED (Best 4-y-o and up stayer and also best in the male category), A KING IS BORN (Best 4-y-o and up sprinter and male as well), U.S. ONE (Best 4-y-o and up female sprinter), BLACK THATCH (Best 4-y-o and up stayer) and also Best 4-y-o and up female overall champion) and not to be left out, Wayne DaCosta's crack sprinter LIL' COUNTRY BOY (Best Foreign Bred).
- O.C.
