The horse-racing fraternity in Barbados has lost one of its stalwarts, in Trinidadian-born Yusuf Mongroo who passed away after a brief illness, in Guyana on Sunday afternoon.The well-known race horse owner and businessman, had a real passion for the sport of kings, and his silks have graced many tracks in the Caribbean and as far as North America. He was associated with top trainers like William White and Graham Motion.His famous black and gold colours became a major feature of racing at the Garrison Savannah, as Mongroo took residency in Barbados, and a leading role in the industry.His first trip to the winners’ enclosure in Barbados was on September 16, 1989, with the imported Stars In Motion.Overall he won 107 races and was in the spotlight as recently as June 5, when his filly Janaki was another winner.Here in Barbados, Mongroo’s stable was represented by many top class animals and trainers, among the more popular were creole Nicodemus, who recorded 12 wins including winning six straight, and earned $ 293 567; Janak who won seven races while earning $162 345; Surya Bhagwan who won four races, and earned $87 710; and Jeblita a champion imported filly in 1997.Mongroo had many participants in the island’s most prestigious race, the Sandy Lane Gold Cup, placing second in 1996 with Surya Bhagwan, and again in 2000 with Janak.Other major successes came in the Sagicor Breeders’ Classic and Roberts Manufacturing Creole Classic Stakes with Nicodemus, and the Tote Investment Derby Trail with the filly Seeing Red in 1990. Elizabeth Dean trained for Mongroo from December 1994 to January 2003, and in that ten-year span she provided him with 70 winners. In paying tribute, Deane said: “Mr Mongroo was a pretty nice guy who always bought good horses. He also took me at times with him to the horse sales in America.” A memorial service will be held tomorrow at Coral Ridge, from 3 p.m. His body will be cremated in Guyana.
