IN spite of the almost incredible exploits trainer Philip Feanny and jockey Winston Griffiths in the Jamaica Derby, this writer is of the view that two or more victories is quite a notable feat.

Today this article pays tribute to the men who have achieved this feat as trainers, jockeys and owners and hopefully this can rekindle even a touch of nostalgia for many of our readers. Caymanas became the home of this Blue Riband event in 1959 and that event was won by Blush, conditioned by Englishman Gerry Skelton, a former jockey.

Sydney Watson won with Princess Royal in 1961 and had to wait another 14 years for Tudor Wit 1975 to give another visit to the winner’s enclosure. The late Allan E “Billy” Williams had the first of his five Derby training feats with Thank You Sir in 1963 immediately after returning from a stint as a headlad at the stable of Captain William “Bill” Elsey in Yorkshire, England. Winning with Buckchaser ’69, Legal Light ’77, Distinctly Native ’90 before Miracle Man in 2005 wrote the final Derby chapter in the distinguished career of one of Jamaica’s greatest horsemen.

Laurie Silvera followed his 1964 triumph with Duesbury by saddling out and out stayer Creation for the win in1967. Nigel B Nunes saddled Baladier for his first in 1972 and Lucky Ole Sun to win in a three-way photograph in 1979 which is the acknowledged as the most exciting ever. Kenneth Mattis prepared the first Caymanas Triple Crown winner Royal Dad to score in 1981 and D’s A Legend in 1985 giving this great trainer and rider his second and final success.

It was Wayne DaCosta’s first turn in 1984 with the outstanding filly Thornbird, followed by War Zone in 1996 and Good Conduct in 1999. Richard Azan saddled Dorval in 1995 and Mark My Word in 2010 while Anthony Nunes followed in his father Nigel’s footsteps with Terramoto ’98 and Technomoto in 2011.

Hello Poochie Lui ’83 was the first of 10 for the master conditioner Phillip Feanny. What followed really beggars belief with Prince Consort ’86, Lui Chie Poo ’88, The Viceroy ’89, Milligram ’92, Wells Fargo ’94, I’m Satisfied 2000, Simply Magic 2002, A King Is Born 2003 and Distinctly Irish 2004 joining the ranks of the immortals.

Kenneth Mattis rode Princess Royal to victory in 1961, Ska in1966 and Buckchaser in ’69 giving him, uniquely, three successes as trainer and three as rider. Winston Ellis won with Duesbury in 1964 and Creation in 1966, George Hosang had two memorable performances in 1973 with King Pin and Reca ’76. Fitzroy Glispie, who trains currently, showed himself to be an excellent judge of pace with Legal Light ’77, Zell ’78 and Black Knight in 1980.

Emelio Rodriquez with Tudor Wit ’75, Thornbird ’84 and the shorthead victory with a very tired Lucky Ole Sun ’79 justifies his place in the Jamaica Racing Commission Hall of Fame as one of the greatest jockeys. Unheralded Neville Anderson showed his riding skills with victories aboard Cesario ’82, Hello Poochie Lui ’83 and 12 years later with Dorval ’95.

There were victories for Andrew Ramgeet with D’s A Legend ’85, War Zone ’96 and Good Prospect ’99 whilst Charles Hussey tasted success with Wells Fargo ’94 Terramoto ’98. Shane Ellis followed his memorable 2001 success with Awesome Power with another well-judged ride on Typewriter last year, Brian Harding with Ransom Man ’06 and Alsafra ’08, Dick Cardenas Mark My Word 2010 and Technomoto in 2011 make it six victories for foreign-born riders with Albino Ubidia-Royal Crest ’70 and Jose Bravo-Balladier ’72 completing the list.

Winston Griffiths delivered a great ride on Royal Dad ’81 for his first and then rode Prince Consort ’86, Lui Chie Poo ’88, The Viceroy ’89, Milligram ’92, I’m Satisfied 2000, Simply Magic 2002, A King Is Born 2003, Distinctly Irish 2004 and The Bomber 2007 to form part of the Guinness Book of World Records with trainer Phillip Feanny.

The owners in this category are the syndicate of Judge J W Hardie and Dr V Magnus and Hamark Farms headed by Howard Hamilton with two successes each.