Cliff Williams LAST WEEK Thursday marked the 16th renewal of the None Such Horse-of-the-Year awards ceremony, and this 2006 version was well-supported with the racing fraternity turning out in impressive numbers to honour its own outstanding achievers in another pleasant black tie affair.
Somehow though, in the 17 years that this ceremony has replaced the annual Salute to Racing, I still cannot shake the feeling that, while the staging of this event as formatted is appropriately and probably executed best in some fancy hotel ballroom, something is missing.
I feel very strongly it should be complemented by a follow-up function at the racetrack where the general public would get the opportunity to acknowledge the awardees, as was done in the past at the Salute to Racing.
The fact of the matter is that with only one racetrack in operation in Jamaica, there is no logistical problem of convenient dates and other considera-tions encountered elsewhere in the world to present any difficulty to stage such events.
Truth be told, the ceremony, while open to all and sundry, the price of the tickets imaged it from the outset as an event for the elite of the fraternity, and so it is likely to remain forever.
SALUTE TO RACING
I remember being at the Salute to Racing and awards presentation in January 1968 when the outstanding local-bred sprinter None Such, 1967 Horse-of-the-Year for whom the current ceremony is named, was honoured, and cannot forget the emotional, spontaneous acclaim he received when he paraded with regular rider Kenneth Mattis.
There was even a little drama when the horse, disturbed by the unfamiliar green carpet placed on the track for the presentation ceremony, reared and Mattis got the opportunity to show off his skills as he leapt from the saddle but held the reins expertly, used his outstanding horsemanship to restore calm and was back aboard in very little time.
In those days, many of the awardees made something of a fashion statement and that created trivial but interesting talking points. The feature race on those days was the then traditional Caribbean Cup run over 3200 metres, or two miles, and although it did not attract large fields, the sheer uniqueness of the event was a drawing card of significant proportions.
As I see it, there is no reason I can think of why we can't have the None Such Horse-of-the-Year awards ceremony remaining as it is and then followed by a Salute to Racing ceremony involving the awardees and honourees at the track so as to ensure greater and more fitting public participation.
CONGRATULATIONS
From this column, it's congratulations to the awardees, and may all continue to enjoy success. The None Such Award went to the Hussey family on this occasion, and I have to say rightly and very deservingly so.
Their great contribution to the sport is unmatchable in many respects, with the matriarch Ruth being a successful breeder, patriarch Lawrence formerly a successful trainer, son Percy who trains the family's bloodstock, and brother Charles, undoubtedly one of the greatest jockeys of all times.
Together, this is a formidable combination of resources and experience, and further huge successes is likely and virtually guaranteed to flow in their direction, perhaps with the best still ahead.
