Howard Hamilton dominates Hall of Fame awards

Orville Clarke, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Former champion owner Howard Hamilton highlighted last Thursday night's Prelude to Derby 'Hall of Fame' Awards dinner at the Terra Nova Hotel, copping two of the awards presented.

The annual function was hosted by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) with sponsorship from Supreme Ventures Limited.

Hamilton, who is also a noted breeder (part-owner of HAM Stables Limited), was one of six new inductees.

In the first instance, he took the stage to receive the Hall of Fame citation for his outstanding racehorse, DISTINCTLY IRISH, who won the Jamaica Derby by all of 15 lengths in 2004 and the 2000 Guineas by 9 1/2 lengths.

Although failing narrowly to win the Triple Crown, his brilliant three-year-old season was capped by all the major awards, including Horse of the Year.

Bred by Ken Gooden, DISTINCTLY IRISH, who was trained by Hall of Famer Philip Feanny, won a second 'Horse of the Year' award in 2007, winning five of his seven races including the Gold Cup and Harry Jackson Memorial Cup.

Later in the night, Hamilton himself was honoured for his long and distinguished association with horse racing for nearly 50 years.

His maroon and gold school colours of Wolmer's Boys' School became a familiar sight in the winners' enclosure over the years, racing under his own name and under the nom de plume Hamark Farms in later years.

In addition to serving as chairman of the promoting company on two separate occasions, Hamilton served as president of the Owners' Association and is the current president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association.

successful breeder

Indeed, Hamilton has been involved in almost every aspect of the sport/business. A successful breeder, a high-profile owners of horses such as Derby winners A King Is Born and Distinctly Irish, bookmaker, competent administrator and racing columnist for The Gleaner, he has demonstrated an unprecedented embodiment of excellence, innovation, dedication, integrity and visionary leadership.

In addition to Hamilton, the other inductees were the 2000 Triple Crown winner and 2002 Horse of The Year I'MSATISFIED (winner of 25 races from 60 starts), who was owned and bred by Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany and trained by Feanny; retired female trainer Emma Chen; veteran groom George 'Geego' Thomas and Dr David Levy, a former president of the Jockey Club (1985-1992), owner and like Hamilton, a Wolmerian.

Dr Levy, Hamilton and Emma Chen were inducted in Category E - other racing personalities, Thomas in Category D and the two horses in Category A.

In over five decades as a groom, Thomas, 73, has worked with numerous trainers, including the stables of the late champion Ren Gonsalves, where he looked after horses such as RELENTLESS, PADDY'S DOLL, TOOT YOUR HORN and OCTOBER HILL, as well as Wilfred Chin, Charles Morrissey, Sydney Watson and currently Donovan Plummer.

Chen was a trainer, owner and breeder of note in a sport dominated by men. She started out with the legendary trainer Abbie Grannum in 1957 and after becoming a full-fledged trainer in the '70s, saddled numerous winning horses including ROYAL EMBLEM, WIMBLEDON, RUMSTER, GOLDEN TOUCH, LAMPLIGHTER, GLOBE TROTTER, COMMENDATION and the best of them, ST THOMAS who won nine consecutive races up to 'A1' class. Emma retired from racing in 2003 after 30 years as a trainer.