Alexander V Hamilton, a highly-respected horseman, veteran owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses who has more than 60 years in the industry from Knutsford Park to Caymanas Park, reached a notable milestone at the 21st None Such Horse-Of-The-Year Awards dinner at the Terra Nova Hotel last week Thursday.

Never one to be fussy about receiving honours for his contribution to the sport of thoroughbred racing, he accepted “whole heartedly” the coveted None Such Award for lifetime achievement.

“It is an achievement which I heartily accept. I’m very honoured to be given this award as I have always considered this to be a major achievement. Racing is my sport and I love to give anything to it for its continuance without looking for anything in return, except for the joy that it brings me and also to so many other Jamaicans who truly love the sport of thoroughbred racing. It is a sport that so many people around the world love and I’m very thrilled to be given this award this evening,” Hamilton told the Observer.

Hamilton, a man whose involvement in thoroughbred racing and management in Jamaica and in other racing jurisdiction, as far off as Australia for the better part of 60 years, conceded that his most memorable moment in all his years in thoroughbred racing was “receiving the None Such Award five minutes ago”.

“You work all your life in racing and the joy of actually winning a race is something to revere as it makes you feel terrific, but the pleasure of being acclaimed by your friends and your peers it is something which is very special. It hits you right in the heart, you know that feeling of being appreciated for unselfish efforts even when things do not turn out the way you had expected them to.”

Hamilton’s fascination with horses and racing dates back to the days when Knutsford Park was the racing Mecca of Jamaica, but is now developed into a posh shopping and business centre.

Born in Scotland, Hamilton was the owner of the vast Caymanas Estate lands in St Catherine and when racing was to be relocated from Knutsford Park he sold a small portion of his lands to build a new track which came on stream in 1959.

In his heyday Hamilton was the owner of Caymanas Estates Stud Farm and served as president of the Jockey Club of Jamaica from 1972 to 1984. He also owned several horses, including the 1969 Horse-Of-The-Year Persian Coin, the 1970 Jamaica St Leger winner Charlotte Russe and his long remembered Long Shot, who died after a spill in the late 1960s.

His most recent winner is Piccolo on January 16 ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker.

Now 77 years old and not as robust in health as he once was, but the fire for racing achievement on the track still burns brightly in his bosom. “I still hope to go on winning a few more races. I still have a couple of brood mares you never know my ambition is maybe one day to win the Derby. If it comes it comes, but mostly I enjoy racing I enjoy the crowds. Racing people are unique whether you are in America, whether you are in Australia you are there and you are welcomed. I’ve been to Australia and it is quite amazing what goes on the country stops when a major race is being run,” recounted.