Bajan groom wins classic

Article by Lindon Yarde

BARBADIAN GROOM Harry Mayers created history last week at Churchill Downs, as his filly Cathryn Sophia won the US$1 000 000 Kentucky Oaks, under a brilliant ride from Javier Castellano, before a record crowd of 124 589 racing enthusiasts.

It’s a first for a Barbadian connected to a classic winner in the United States.

Owners, trainers and jockeys usually get all the praise as connections of a winning horse, as grooms are more often than not forgotten in racing circles and given very little media attention, despite playing a major role in nurturing these animals.

There is a very popular local saying that “wherever you go you can find a Bajan”, and so in the middle of the fantastic celebration stood the 52-year-old Mayers who fought back tears as he was clearly overwhelmed by such a tremendous achievement.

Please read the full story in today’s Saturday Sun, or in the eNATION edition.