REVERED?race horse owner Sir David Seale has earmarked two from his stable, Daunting David and Marcus Antonius, as the future of horse racing in this country.
Sir David, who is president of the Barbados Turf Club (BTC), thinks the two impressive colts are the ones to watch.
“Daunting David, a top-class horse and Marcus Antonius are the future of Barbados’ racing. They are really good horses and will make their presence felt,” a quietly confident Sir David told MIDWEEK?SPORT.
Daunting David has won his last three starts in emphatic fashion while Marcus Antonious has had four victories in five races.
Sir David, who has imported some of the finest horses to have raced here such as Sandford Prince, Bentom, Kingly Street, Local Knowledge, Concorde Hero and Western Isle, is seeking to recapture the glory days when his stable dominated the sport.
“It’s been great to have done so well over the years and you know some of the big names of the past are rated as top horses because they have turned out to be winners.
“What I can say is that I definitely have two good horses,” he said.
Sir David, a prominent businessman, said he planned to unleash both of them for next year’s edition of the Sandy Lane Gold Cup.
He also hinted there was every chance that the United States import Aristodemus, winner of last year’s Gold Cup, may return after injury.
“Aristodemus had an injury and he is on rest and there is a fair chance he will be coming back to run.”
Sir David said he enjoyed the latest edition of the United Insurance Derby, though most fans may have been surprised with favourite Noble Intent finishing near the back of the field.
“The favourites can’t win every time, that is the nature of the sport.
“I am not sure why Noble Intent didn’t make an impact, but the conditions may not have been to his liking and this was the first time he has gone ten furlongs and possibly, it may have been beyond him,” he said.
Jockey Anderson Trotman, 38, who won the Gold Cup on Aristodemus, thinks that it would be unwise for race fans to write off Noble Intent.
“He is a front-running horse and he didn’t get the chance to dictate this time around, but the conditions were not to his liking, the conditions were fairly heavy, he wasn’t getting much hold of the ground.
“He likes it hard.
“Noble Intent is a nice horse and will be back. It would be unwise to write him off. He has the quality to bounce back, it is horse racing. It is just one of those days,” Trotman added.
