CHRIS HUSBANDS TALKS ABOUT TRINIDAD DERBY
CHRIS HUSBANDS, who rode his first classic winner when he brilliantly won on Sara's Music in the Trinidad and Tobago Royal Oak Derby at Santa Rosa Park on Monday, was given a "hero's" welcome when he returned to Barbados Wednesday evening.
A small welcoming party including Anne Deane and her son, trainer Richard Deane, veterinarian Dr Trevor King, all of whom had a hand in Chris's early development as a jockey, Mohammed Mohamad of the Barbados Turf Club, trainer Andrew Nunes, along with family and friends, were on hand at Grantley Adams International Airport to meet and congratulate the young jockey.
Husbands created a number of firsts in winning Trinidad's Royal Oak Derby. In addition to it being his first derby win, it was the first time an apprentice was winning the prestigious event since the Trinidad and Tobago Derby was shifted from the Queen's Park Savannah to Santa Rosa Park in 1994; and it was also the first derby success for trainer Maniram "Boboy" Maharaj as a breeder.
He also became the first Barbadian jockey to win the race since Simon Husbands did so on Mr Lover Lover in 1997.
In commenting on his victory immediately after the race, Husbands said: "It is a dream come true for any jockey. I knew I won the race from the three-furlong pole, my horse was travelling best. I told you this was a derby winner when he won the Santa Rosa Classic."
Former South Caribbean champion jockey Chally Jones was the most successful Barbadian jockey winning the Trinidad derby six times, and he is followed by Venice Richards with three.
Commenting on Husbands' success yesterday, Jones termed it "a great achievement for someone so early in his career".
"I am happy for Chris. I gave him his first break as a young apprentice and I have never had a problem with him. He listens to advice and is willing to learn. He has always been mannerly and well behaved and no doubt his parents have played their role in this respect. If he remains this way he should go far."
Richards, who also played his part in developing Chris's skills, said:
"I am elated at Chris' success in the Trinidad derby. I am not surprised because I've known all along that he has the ability, and what he has going for him is that he wants to learn and in this regard he listens.
"I gave him some suggestions as to how to adjust to riding on the sand track at Santa Rosa, since it is completely different from riding at the Garrison. His successes there show that he listens and learns."
Chris Armond, Barbados Turf Club's operations manager, was also high in praise of Husbands' success.
"I thought he rode an exceptional race, especially since his mount had pulled itself into the lead shortly after the start and was actually in front when they passed the stands for the first time. He did well to get him settled afterwards and kept him just off the front runners.
"His prolonged duel down the home-stretch with more experienced jockeys like Jonathan Jones (Bling Bling) and Rajpaul Rajkumar (Greek Princess) and to come out on top was exceptional and a tribute to all those Barbadian riders who are doing so well overseas
A small welcoming party including Anne Deane and her son, trainer Richard Deane, veterinarian Dr Trevor King, all of whom had a hand in Chris's early development as a jockey, Mohammed Mohamad of the Barbados Turf Club, trainer Andrew Nunes, along with family and friends, were on hand at Grantley Adams International Airport to meet and congratulate the young jockey.
Husbands created a number of firsts in winning Trinidad's Royal Oak Derby. In addition to it being his first derby win, it was the first time an apprentice was winning the prestigious event since the Trinidad and Tobago Derby was shifted from the Queen's Park Savannah to Santa Rosa Park in 1994; and it was also the first derby success for trainer Maniram "Boboy" Maharaj as a breeder.
He also became the first Barbadian jockey to win the race since Simon Husbands did so on Mr Lover Lover in 1997.
In commenting on his victory immediately after the race, Husbands said: "It is a dream come true for any jockey. I knew I won the race from the three-furlong pole, my horse was travelling best. I told you this was a derby winner when he won the Santa Rosa Classic."
Former South Caribbean champion jockey Chally Jones was the most successful Barbadian jockey winning the Trinidad derby six times, and he is followed by Venice Richards with three.
Commenting on Husbands' success yesterday, Jones termed it "a great achievement for someone so early in his career".
"I am happy for Chris. I gave him his first break as a young apprentice and I have never had a problem with him. He listens to advice and is willing to learn. He has always been mannerly and well behaved and no doubt his parents have played their role in this respect. If he remains this way he should go far."
Richards, who also played his part in developing Chris's skills, said:
"I am elated at Chris' success in the Trinidad derby. I am not surprised because I've known all along that he has the ability, and what he has going for him is that he wants to learn and in this regard he listens.
"I gave him some suggestions as to how to adjust to riding on the sand track at Santa Rosa, since it is completely different from riding at the Garrison. His successes there show that he listens and learns."
Chris Armond, Barbados Turf Club's operations manager, was also high in praise of Husbands' success.
"I thought he rode an exceptional race, especially since his mount had pulled itself into the lead shortly after the start and was actually in front when they passed the stands for the first time. He did well to get him settled afterwards and kept him just off the front runners.
"His prolonged duel down the home-stretch with more experienced jockeys like Jonathan Jones (Bling Bling) and Rajpaul Rajkumar (Greek Princess) and to come out on top was exceptional and a tribute to all those Barbadian riders who are doing so well overseas
posted by Andre @ 12:29 PM
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