BLUE?Diamond Stables has once again reigned supreme, repeating as the most successful stable in the just concluded Barbados Turf Club’s 2011 racing season.
Owner Lord Michael Taylor never relented on his lead, having led at the conclusion of the first two seasons, and the third season was just time for him to ice the cake while retaining his championship title for the fourth consecutive year.
Taking a look at how his chargers fared during the third season; Taylor sent out a mere 26 runners during this season that was rocked by an equine cough. Having returns of 8-4-2-5, they earned $152 219.
Overall for the year his horses earned $703 023 from the 180 runners that came under the starter’s orders. With returns of 32 wins,17 seconds, 23 thirds and 22 fourths, this year’s performance marked some improvement on his 2010 returns of 33 winners and earnings of $559 320.
Daga’s four victories this year out of his six straight (two in December last year) would easily be his most gratifying achievement. Her main accomplishment was striding to victory in the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Trophy for three-year-olds over 1 570 metres.
The mare Bouncebak did damage early in the year, recording three wins in succession before a little setback took her from the track. One of those wins was the Coolmore Home Of Champions Stakes and Trophy for the top rated horses over 1 800 metres.
Show Me The Money toppled the top rated horse in the TA Tommy Pierce Memorial Handicap over 1 570 metres. He was then ruthless in his demolition of the Victor Chandler Stakes and Trophy field on Boxing Day, also over 1 570 metres.
Taylor would also be extremely pleased to see his young trainer Anderson Ward capture his first training title and become the first person to win championships in two categories – jockey and trainer.
It was not all smiles for Taylor as his three-year-olds of Istanbul, Happy Memories, Vitality, Must Be The Money and Reprise, all of whom had exhibited tremendous promise and potential, all performed creditably without ever being spectacular as they all failed to win any of the Triple Crown Classics.
Gay Smith’s charges continued to hold on to the second spot during the third season during which Springheads Stables sent out 17 runners resulting in four wins, two seconds, three thirds and three fourth placed finishes.
Overall, Springhead was rewarded for their consistency and retained second position at the conclusion of the year from 104 runners sent out. They accomplished 16-14-8-7 and earnings of $396 773.00. Zoom took centre stage for this outfit, recording four victories throughout the year, namely the Sandy Lane Gold Cup and the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Breeders’ Classic, both races over 1 800 metres.
Kendal Racing took third position during the third season. The Sir Charles Williams-owned stable sent out a mere seven runners with 1-1-1 in returns, easily a quiet season for them.
Overall Sir Charles’ horses earned $249 803 from 45 runs 9-4-5-3, rounding off a good year for them. Kendal Moon was the outstanding horse for them, taking the Midsummer Creole Classic and the United Insurance Derby. Others which made some impact were Apostle and Slip Stream.
Yorkshire-based outfit Aysha Syndicate finished fourth in the season and in the yearly final position. Third season statistics shows 32 runners 3-1-0-1 and earnings of $24 076.
Overall they sent out 126 runners with returns of 12-12-11-7 and earnings of $222 768. Irish Thunder scored three victories during the year to be their most outstanding horse.
