Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Wright

Professional women in racing are a rare breed at Caymanas Park these days, but Tashekie Wright is making a difference as an assistant trainer.

She has been practising her craft for the past four years, with an ambition to become a full-fledged trainer in the next two to three years, after completing the wide-ranging Jamaica Racing Com-mission (JRC) course for assistant trainers.

Given the experience already gained on the ground, Wright feels she will have little difficulty in successfully completing the course alongside her male counterparts when the time comes.

Sole assistant

Wright has the distinction of being the only female assistant trainer at Caymanas Park. She is attached to the stables of trainer Collin 'Pebbles' Blair where she not only looks after the horses DISCO PEARL, DONNA MITE and BABY RENEE, but her job entails stable management, among other things.

While the work is hard and the existence lonely, due to the absence of other women in the sport and with it the lack of interaction, Wright says she loves being around horses and wouldn't want it any other way.

"I have worked hard to reach where I am and there is no turning back at this stage," she says. "In another four to five years. I see myself as the next female trainer at Caymanas Park and I know, deep down, that I'll be successful.

"Eileen Cliggott is my inspiration in racing and I hope that by stepping forward in a male-dominated sport at this time, I will encourage other women to play their part as well."

The role of women in racing has diminished over the years due to a number of factors, chief of which is the long hours, not to mention the less-than-attractive working environment.

Make a change

Indeed, 20 years ago, there were four female trainers active at Caymanas Park. The quartet was led by the legendary 'Hall of Famer' Eileen Cliggott who in the mid-80s was the all-time leading trainer in Jamaica, and included Emma Chen, Bev Rhoden and Pauline Dwyer.

Today, however, the landscape has changed. Margaret Parchment is the sole female trainer at the park, but Wright is hoping to change all that.

She was introduced to racing by her father, Barrington Wright, in his capacity as owner of horses such as INNOCENCE, SHE'S A STAR, MR FOURTEEN, SHALOME and CARIBBEAN CHOICE.

From her early teens, she used to accompany her father to the track and gradually fell in love with the sport, eventually linking up with trainer Frank Parham five years ago.

During the two years she spent with Parham, she gained invaluable experience as groom and assistant trainer, working with horses such as LADY PHAEDRA and SILK DANCER before moving to the stables of Blair where she has been for close to three years.

Juggling motherhood

A past student of Black River High in St Elizabeth, Wright, who is in her mid-20s, is the mother of a four-year-old daughter, Chenelle.

She confesses that it is difficult juggling motherhood and racing, considering she is required to be at the track as early as 5:30 every morning.

It helps living in close proximity to the track (Independence City) along with her child's father, jockey Donovan Miller.

She confesses to having a good relationship with most racing personnel, including Parham and Blair, who treat her with respect.

However, as in any field of endeavour, there are a few who deal with her disrespectfully as a woman.

"I get discouraged at times but my strength comes from my father with whom I am extremely close and I'm coping," she said.

Trainers' Association president, Vin Edwards, whose stables are adjacent to hers, spoke highly of Wright.

"She is hardworking, committed, intelligent and really loves horses. Her efficiency and work ethic have destroyed much of the anti-female attitude among the men and she can stand up and be counted," he said.

Coming from Edwards, that's a real compliment.