By 1987, the 10-furlong Superstakes had grown in stature and had truly become the race all professionals in the sport of horse racing wanted to win.

The Superstakes attracted not only the best horses in Jamaica at the time but also foreign-based horses, especially those from Trinidad and Tobago, started to invade Caymanas Park as participants.

In 1986, the unthinkable happened: a Trini-bred Baree Bahim owned by Mohammed Ali, trained by the legendary Eric ‘Colt’ Durrant and ridden by Ranjit Kissoon, won the Superstakes comfortably defeating D’s A Legend and Modern Age.

The swagger of the Trinidadians who were present in their numbers was pronounced. They came to the land of Legal Light, Sir Howard, Thornbird and Thunderbird and conquered. The heads of most Jamaicans were lowered as they pondered on the reality that the old enemy had inflicted mortal pain on the country’s outstanding horse racing legacy. Reggae was subjugated by Calypso and for most locals the wrong had to be righted, and quickly too.

14- time champion trainer Philip Feanny remembers the impact of the Baree Bahim Superstakes victory.

“Baree Bahim won Jamaica’s biggest race, the Superstakes, and understandably the Trinis were in their ‘ackee’ or to be more precise, their ‘doubles’ or shake-and-bake. It was a major setback for Jamaica and we now had to look at ourselves, particularly our breeding industry, and find ways of solving the problem.

“Naturally, breeding better horses would take time while an immediate fix was required to restore Jamaica to its place of horse racing prominence in the Caribbean. Simply put, we had to win the Superstakes, our race, in 1987 to restore not only the balance but also our horse racing pride,” the man dubbed “the Maestro” said with searing eyes.

A record crowd turned up at Caymanas Park in early November 1987 to watch the Superstakes. Baree Bahim returned to defend her crown along with other overseas horses, Paddy Bird and Don Juan from Barbados and another Trini entrant Northern Regent.

Feanny conditioned the eventual favourite Prince Consort with none other than Winston Griffiths in the saddle. Kissoon was again on board Baree Bahim who went off at 6-1.

Prince Consort led narrowly as they passed the stands for the first time. As they sorted themselves out along the backstretch, Prince Consort proceeded to take the field along on a tight rein. Baree Bahim, who was never far off the pace, went in chase approaching the half-mile. Although coming within two lengths of Prince Consort at that stage, Baree Bahim was soon left standing when Prince Consort opened up the throttle approaching the final bend. Prince Consort eventually made mincemeat of his opponents, winning by 10 lengths with Baree Bahim second and Monday Morning third.

“The win by Prince Consort was emphatic, it was exhilarating, and it was a command performance by a horse who was dogged with injuries throughout the year.

“Prince Consort had only returned to competitive racing five weeks before the Superstakes, making his win even more outstanding,” Feanny said.

While savouring his excellent personal achievement, Feanny did not forget the impact for horse racing in Jamaica.

“Yes, it was a remarkable moment for me and the other connections of Prince Consort, but I for one could not let go unnoticed the restoration of dignity and confidence that Prince Consort’s win had on us as Jamaicans. It was a proud moment that restored lost pride for the industry.

“We had to win the 1987 Superstakes and Prince Consort did just that,” Feanny said now with a noticeable gleam in his eyes.