Menudo (Andrew Ramgeet), winning one of his four Superstakes at Caymanas Park. - File

SINCE ITS inception in 1978, the Red Stripe Superstakes has been won by some truly outstanding horses such as LEGAL LIGHT, THE VICEROY, SIR HOWARD, PRINCE CONSORT and MIRACLE MAN.

But none has left an indelible mark on the Superstakes greater than the Richard Azan-owned and trained MENUDO who chalked up four consecutive wins from 1999 to 2002.

Indeed, the name MENUDO is synonymous with the Red Stripe Superstakes.

From humble beginnings, the illustrious campaigner made his mark in rewriting Superstakes history and his amazing feat could well withstand the test of time.

For the greater part of 1999, MENUDO was not considered one of the top three-year-olds in training. He never figured behind the front-running filly GOOD PROSPECT in the Derby on June 12 and hardly fared any better behind her in the St. Leger three weeks later.

However, he improved to such an extent in the last quarter that by the end of the year he was a leading contender for 'Horse of the Year' honours.

WITRA Classic

MENUDO came into his own by winning the valuable WITRA Classic over 2000 metres in October of 1999, humbling the Derby, Oaks and St. Leger winner GOOD PROSPECT in the process.

Coming back less than a month later, he won the Red Stripe Superstakes in decisive fashion with Panamanian jockey Roger Moore in the saddle. Then on Boxing Day he put it across the big, bad imported filly BLUMENTHAL in the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup and just lost out to her by a single vote in the balloting for 'Horse of the Year', finishing first runner-up.

The following year (2000), MENUDO conquered all before him, winning a string of important races including his second consecutive Superstakes with Andrew Ramgeet up, and the Harry Jackson Memorial for good measure once again. This time the 'Horse of the Year' award was a mere formality.

Best distance horse

By then MENUDO had clearly established himself as the best distance horse in the country and he duly won the Superstakes again in 2001, as well as a second 'Horse of the Year' award, and for an unprecedented fourth time in 2002 with Ramgeet making it three in a row.

Although getting well on in age, the seven-year-old chestnut gelding by The Medic out of The Peacemaker mare Making Peace, made an unsuccessful bid to win the race for a fifth consecutive time in 2003. But having failed to win a race for once in his run up to the Superstakes and the perception that his legs were going, the veteran campaigner finished a poor seventh in a field of 10 as the three-year-old colt PITTACUS took top honours.

MENUDO actually finished lame and had to be dismounted by Ramgeet on his way back. It was announced by Azan that he would be retired immediately, this after an outstanding racing career which saw him win 18 races from 46 starts and a record $13.5 million in stakes, which was surpassed by I'MSATISFIED in 2004.

MENUDO will forever be remembered as a Superstakes phenomenon.

PAST WINNERS Year, horse, jockey,(owner), trainer

2005: Miracle Man (54.0kg), A. Maragh, (Joseph Duany). Allan 'Billy' Williams

2004: Distinctly Irish (54.0kg), W. Griffiths, (Hamark Farms). Philip Feanny

2003: Pittacus (54kg), S. Ellis, (E. Haloute & E. Lam), Anthony Nunes

2002: Menudo (57kg) Andrew Ramgeet. (Richard Azan). Richard Azan

2001: Menudo (57kg) A. Ramgeet (R. Azan) . R. Azan

2000: Menudo 57kg) A. Ramgeet, (R. Azan, R Azan

1999: Menudo (54kg) R. Moore. (R. Azan) R. Azan

1998: Terremoto (54Kg) C. Hussey. (E Haloute). Anthony Nunes

1997: My Friend Rich (57kg) B. Harding, (C. Jones), J. O. Brien (Barbados)

1996: Adoring Groom (54kg) B. Harding (A Poon Tip), J.Hadeed (T &T)

1995: Dorval (54Kg) G. HoSang, (R. Azan) R. Azan

1994: Restless Babe (55kg) A. Ramgeet (Sir C. O. Williams). Andrew Nunes

1993: Vestia (52Kg) P. Williams (P. Feanny. Dr. Bradford & L. Clark) P. Feanny

1992: The Viceroy (57kg) G. HoSang (Romain Syndicate). P. Feanny

1991: Poorlittlerichgirl (51.5kg) J. Campines, (Gee Bee) . G Bucknor

1990: The Viceroy (57kg) W. Griffiths, (Roman Syndicate). P. Feanny.

1989: The Viceroy (54kg) W. Griffiths, (Roman Syndicate), P. Feanny

1988: No race due to the effects of Hurricane Gilbert

1987: Prince Consort (57.8Kg) W. Griffiths (H. Dallas & A. Lee) P. Feanny

1986: Baree Bahn (51.5Kg) Ranjit Kisson, (Mohammed Y. Ali) Eric 'Colt' Durant (T&T)

1985: D'S A Legend (54kg) W. Griffiths (D. Howell and S. Bryan) Kenneth Mattis

1984: Warfare (57kg) M. McFarlane. (B. McLeod et al). P.J. Scully

1983: Sir Howard, (54kg) G. Jones, (Arvelis & Associates). P. Hart

1982: Kaz Hoshay (52kg) E. Rodriquez, (A. Chin Fatt) P. Feanny

1981: Legal Light (57kg) F. Glispie (Jack Ashenheim) K. Mattis

1980: Thunderbird (54kg) F. Glispie, (Los Teques Syndicate). H. McKenzie

1979: Mento Maid (51kg) Derrick Ramgeet. (L. Gilzene) K. Mattis

1978: Legal Light (57kg) W. Griffiths, (Jack Ashenheim) K. Mattis

- O.C.