A 19-year wait came to a thrilling end yesterday for Sir David Seale and his connections with a stunning upset and a one-two finish to win the 31st Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup at the Garrison Savannah.
Jalon Samuel piloted 12-1 shot Dancin David to victory and veteran Anderson Trotman, the reigning champion jockey, brought home John Brian in second place ahead of last year’s winner Zoom who was ridden by Antonio Bishop.
It was the sixth Cup for Sir David following wins with Venice “Pappy” Richards in 1986 on Benton and Sandford Prince in 1989, 1991 and 1992. Chou Chou Royale, with Sandie Hawley, was the last victory back in 1993.
It might not have happened if Mingun Temple had been able to face the starter, and Samuel received clearance late Friday night to partner Dancin David, the first alternative.
“It has been a long time,” Sir David told SUNSPORT yesterday after the race.
Delighted
“I am really delighted, and to make the icing on the cake to have John Brian run second as well, whew! That’s the best.”
Sir David said he knew from watching the horses that neither of the early leaders Apostle nor Show Me The Money – who ironically was disqualified last year after Samuel was cited by the stewards for an impediment – would have won.
“Watching from upstairs, you get to learn how they are going to run and when they got to the bottom of the straight, I knew we were going to win and run second. I could see from the horses coming.”
He also wasn’t concerned about the fact that other horses were being touted as favourites.
“I probably felt better that way because I knew we were coming to win.
“You have to study the form of horses. This horse has raced in Canada with much better company than they have here.
It has raced at Gulfstream in much better company so I figured that we had the greatest chance [yesterday].”
Sir David was also full of praise for “dedicated” trainer Liz Deane, who joined the stables back in 1986.
“I am so pleased for her because I know she is in the yard there from morning early to evening late, to know how she looks after the horses and how she feels.”
It is the second Gold Cup win for Deane. Back in 2007, she won with Whiskey For Me and Rickey Walcott, and then, like yesterday, also ran second, with Rico Walcott on Who’s Wavering.
“It is sort of bittersweet.
It is great to have won the Gold Cup and run one-two but we had a filly [Surinan] who is one of the stable pets break her leg earlier today [yesterday]. This is wonderful, but it is still a little tickling at the heart,” Deane said.
Surinan broke down during the 10th Tanglewood Stakes and Trophy and had to be put down.
Deane admitted her heart was with John Brian.
“Tom [Trotman] has a great rapport with John Brian and we knew that John would run well. To be honest, I really wanted John to win, that’s the honest truth. He’s my baby.
“Dancin David was a bit unknown, but I was absolutely delighted when Jalon said he would ride him. We were happy we had two excellent jockeys.
“We told Jalon just drop him out. He was very calm [yesterday]. On the first day he ran, he was very, very rank and pulling for his head, but he was absolutely beautiful [yesterday].
I am really happy for Sir David. He hasn’t won a Gold Cup for a lot of years,” Deane said.
