Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Trainer Gary Subratie (third from left) gets a champagne shower along with jockey Paul Ramsay (second right), after Hail The I gave him his 100th winner at Caymanas Park last Wednesday. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
TRAINER GARY Subratie saddled his 100th winner at Caymanas Park last Wednesday and is hoping that his second century will not take as long as the first.
It took him seven years to reach the milestone, thanks to a decisive win by the aptly named HAIL THE I in the fifth race on the midweek card.
However, he wasted no time in going for his next ton when the lightly raced filly KYSHA BABY won the Abbie Grannum Memorial Cup two-year-old feature in fine style as the 4-5 favourite.
The second generation trainer, son of popular owner/trainer Errol Subratie who retired last year due to ill-health, said he had some anxious moments moving from 99 to 100.
He actually went winless for several races over two racedays before HAIL THE I did the trick with Paul Ramsay aboard.
SIGH OF RELIEF
"I was happy when it came, but had to breathe a sigh of relief," he jokingly remarked. "This is a milestone sportsmen in any field aspire to and I am no different.
"Personally speaking, it should act as a springboard for greater things and I am eagerly looking forward to the 2006 season," added the 42-year-old trainer who has saddled 21 winners this season to hold down 10th position in the standings.
Looking back, Subratie is particularly proud of the fact that he won the Most Improved Trainer award in 2002 after starting the year with only four horses.
"This I would say has been the highlight of my career. It is good when one is publicly recognised for his work. Another kodak moment was when I saddled my first triple comprising U.S. ONE, HONEY BEE and POINT TAKEN in June, 2004 and of course saddling my first winner, ROYAL INVITATION, with Wesley Henry aboard on August 12, 1998.
LONG WAY
"I've come a long way since. Back then I started with only two horses, ROYAL INVITATION and UTOPIA who was owned by my dad.
"Today my string has grown to 33 horses, including the two-year-olds NO GUTS NO GLORY and KYSHA BABY, PRECOCIOUS MISS D, STORMY SKY, SPANISH SECRETS, YAHABIBI, LADY LYDIA, ZIP UP, HAIL THE I and BUSHY PARK RAJA who won 13 races for me and recently returned to active training," he explained.
"In the past year I have managed to attract more owners and with this has come better horses. I would like to pay tribute to the owners who have stuck with me from the very beginning ... Gordon Lewis, Edison Chai, Roger Newman and Neville Johnson.
"Phillp Azar, Louis Phillips and Raphael Gordon have also put a lot of faith in me and their patronage has helped to improve my standing this season," he stated.
A past student of St. Jago High in Spanish Town, Subratie describes himself as a complete horseman. He not only grew up in racing due to his father's influence, but made the transition from winning rider to successful trainer.
Few would recall that Subratie rode four winners at Caymanas Park in the late 70s while apprenticed to his father. Two of his wins came aboard PRINCE OBERON and two aboard DR. JOHN.
In between riding and training, he migrated to England and later the United States (Florida), working among horses in other areas of the sport.
He explained that it was jockey Emilo 'Bimbo' Rodriquez who encouraged him to take up training while on a visit to Gulfstream Park in 1993. He eventually obtained his licence in Florida before returning home for good.
The father of two will celebrate yet another milestone this week as there will be a new addition to his family. His wife Shirley (Marie) is expecting a baby.
