Taylor

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

ALTHOUGH HIS dream of becoming a top-flight jockey crashed more than 20 years ago, that did not deter 44-year-old Carl Taylor from making his mark, in another capacity, in the Sport of Kings.

Taylor stunned the nation last Saturday when his charge, The Bomber, landed the 87th running of the Digicel Jamaica Derby, under the stewardship of Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths.

"Words cannot express the way that I feel because to win the biggest classic in your country is a major achievement. It is also a dream for every race horse groom," said the pint-sized Taylor, popularly known as 'Blacks' in the Caymanas Park stable area.

Reminiscing on the night before the Derby, Taylor policed his horse like a guard on duty.

"I watched him for the entire night. Not even a fly me allow to pitch on him," said a smiling Taylor, who was observed walking his charge around a small ring in the stable yard of trainer Patrick Lynch.

Like many other youngsters who had the ambition of becoming a jockey, the former Penwood High student made his debut at Caymanas Park in 1982 as a stable lad at Dennis Pennant's stable.

Pennant at the time had a small string of horses which included It's a Riddle, Anan, Kam, Boy Friend, Rocky, Mr. Bond, Full Cry, Man From Uncle and Jet Wind. His biggest charge in the barn at the time was Calypso Boy, who was a B-2 campaigner.

Commenced stint

It was at Pennant's stable where Taylor commenced his stint in horsemanship, and at one stage was given the responsibility to look after Jet Wind. He was assisted by former jockey Michael Pottinger who at the time was also a stable lad.

Among other stable lads at the time who went on to secure a jockey's licence were Len Kirlew, Percy and Richard Johnson, Don Smith and Michael Pottinger, who were at the same stable shared by trainers Frank Parham, Isaac 'Jarman' Johnson and Dennis Pennant.

However, it was trainers Richie Todd and Lynch whom he said had the greatest influence on his career as a groom.

"I learned a lot from them," Taylor said.

Weight factors denied him the opportunity to get enrolled at the jockey school. The disappointment influenced him to take a short break. He later returned as an exercise rider, then officially began grooming horses in 1992.

His only success in the saddle was winning an exercise rider and groom races. He won aboard Mario in the groom's race and Cupid in the exercise rider's race. The decision he took to settle at Lynch's stable has paid rich dividends for Taylor, who has expressed his profound love for horse.

"I have won more than 40 races in my career as a groom. So far this year, I have won five," Taylor boasted.