GROOMS may appear in some quarters to be the panhandlers in a thoroughbred’s development but this grouping represents probably the most important part of getting a horse prepared for the races and to win.

They are the ones who spend the most time with the horses compared with the trainers and jockeys. They are the ones who pass information to the trainer if anything goes wrong. Grooms are the eyes and ears that protect horses who represent a huge investment for owners.

The life of a groom is difficult. They are not always well paid despite the essential role they play in the racing industry. Somehow they find solace in the success they achieve in grooming a champion racehorse. This, however, is few and far between and many leave the profession because of the unpredictable nature of racing.

Some, like Everal Francis, has risen to be a trainer while Patrick Fong has risen to be owner/trainer and breeder.

But for Uriah “Loota” Smith, groom of Commanding Chief grooming horses is all he knows.

“I really don’t know what it would be like in another profession. I cannot remember exactly at what age I came to the track but it was in my early teens and as you know there is a great deal of ups and downs in racing and moving from one stable to another. However after 40 or so years as a groom this is my best time in racing because Commanding Chief is the best horse I looked after so far.

“Before this, while I was a groom at Ren Gonzales’ stables where I looked after another good horse by the name of Sir Howard, I was the first groom that looked after that horse, but it never raced in my hand as the connections gave it to Philip Hart. The hurtful thing is that I went for him from the bushes too,” Smith said.

Smith never gave up on his acquired trade and continued to work hard.

“I never gave up though, and you see now I get another good horse in Commanding Chief and this is the best time in my life right now.”

Smith, 50, is originally from St Catherine and attended White Marl Primary with jockey Vassel Najair while serving as groom, at the stables of Eileen Cliggott. Looking back at his life as a groom, Smith said that all in all grooming has been good to him as “it was horse money that help me send my children to school and foreign”.