23 new men join trainers ranks at Caymanas Park

Twenty-three assistant trainers became full-fledged trainers after successfully completing the Jamaica Racing Commission's training course some weeks ago.

The graduation ceremony for the new trainers was held on Thursday, September 8 on the grounds of the Jamaica Racing Commission, 8 Winchester Road.

Not even mild showers could dampen the enthusiasm of the graduates, many of whom lived for the moment.

Among the graduates was a third-generation trainer - Steven Todd whose father, Richie Todd, and grandfather, L.C. Todd, were on hand to share in the occasion.

Young Todd delivered the valedictory address in which he said all this was "motivated by the love of and for the thoroughbred" and charged his colleagues to "always try to be the best we can be".

The list also included three second-generation trainers in Andre Graham (son of Neive Graham), Lorne Kirlew (son of Dennis Kirlew and brother of trainer Tony Kirlew) and Christopher Pearson (son of Anthony Pearson), as well as ex-jockey Michael Pottinger and popular owner Oneil Markland, aka 'Sweety Man'.

Mark Manasseh, who was the assistant trainer to Anthony Ferguson, emerged the top graduate, capturing two of the three awards presented.

He won the Chairman's Award for best overall student, and the Dr Sophia Ramial Award for best performance (theory). The Dr St Aubyn Bartlett Award for best performance (practical) went to Uton Stewart, who was assistant trainer to Morris Powell.

The 23 graduates, all of whom were presented with diplomas, are as follows:

Mark Manasseh, Uton Stewart, Steven Todd, Mikey Pottinger, Andre Graham, Lorne Kirlew, Christopher Pearson, Oneil Markland, Robert Alveranga, Marlon Anderson, Kevin Brivette, Joseph Durrant, Rohan Gordon, Lincoln Lungs, Borris McIntosh, Clifton McLish, Neville Peralto, David Powell, Lorenzo Robinson, Norman Smith, Conroy Tulloch, Ludford Williams and Johnny Wilmot.

The six-month course was conducted by the JRC chief veterinarian Dr St Aubyn Bartlett, assisted by JRC veterinarian Dr Sophia Ramial, with input from operations steward Eustace Williams, Normalyn Haynes of the JRC, 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny, CTL racing secretary Denzil Miller, his assistant Kingsley Gentles, along with Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association president Vin Edwards and United Trainers' Association president Richard Todd.

Saddling assessors were trainers Anthony Nunes, Gary Subratie and Gresford Smith.

Among those speaking were Senator Arthur Williams, the minister with portfolio responsibility for the racing industry, JRC Chairman Rudolph Muir and CTL's CEO Camile Buchanan, who brought greetings on behalf of the promoting company.

Muir, in his address, said the new trainees have shown "a commitment to succeed". He noted that the JRC has turned out 150 trainers since the training course was introduced in 1981. Of the 127 having graduated prior to this batch, he said the majority are still active.

He recalled that Dr Bartlett has been coordinating the programme since 1991, and thanked him for his effort and commitment for the past 20 years.