THE citation on the cup says it all. “This trophy was retired by Menudo on November 9, 2002. The chestnut gelding won the Red Stripe Superstakes Trophy for an unprecedented four consecutive years, 1999 – 2002. Menudo is owned and trained by Richard Azan.”

Azan is the undisputed ‘King’ of the Superstakes, with eight victories in the 36 times this coveted race has been contested. Azan started to rule the kingdom of the Superstakes in 1995 with Derby winner of the same year Dorval, then came the four consecutive wins by Menudo followed by the three – peat by Triple Crown champion, Mark My Word, from 2010 to 2012.

“I beam with pride and joy every time in the racing year when the Superstakes comes around. It is the race which is most captivating for me, it is part of my DNA, and it is part of my heart and soul. That is why when Menudo won for the fourth consecutive time in 2002, and officially retired the Superstakes trophy, I placed that trophy as the centrepiece of my house,” said Azan sitting proudly beside the trophy at his place of abode in St Andrew.

Reflecting on his eight victories in the Superstakes, Azan describes the absolute delight he experienced when Dorval won the race in 1995, but quickly added that the fourth win by Menudo was the most unexpected.

“When you win a race like the Superstakes for the first time, emotions are very high and it is a moment I will always treasure and place as one of the jewels of my professional career as a trainer. Dorval was a phenomenal horse who achieved greatness over a relatively short period of time.

“Then came Menudo, who over four years became one of the legends of local horse racing. Menudo’s achievement of winning the Superstakes four consecutive times is unprecedented and may never be achieved again in our lifetime.

“Going into the Superstakes in 2002, seeking a fourth win, Menudo was not the same horse who had won the Superstakes three times before. There were some niggles, there were some doubts,and I was not as confident as in years past, but under the guidance of Andrew Ramgeet, Menudo found his footing on the big occasion and even surprised me, his trainer, with another command performance. It was an unexpected victory which underlined his class and temperament, and one win which is forever etched on not only my mind but in the annals of horse racing in Jamaica.

“When I am at home and I see the Superstakes trophy, it is as if I am in a trance, I am in a state of bliss knowing that I have had the good fortune of training three of the best horses (Dorval, Menudo and Mark My Word) to ever grace the racetrack in Jamaica,” a teary-eyed Azan told the Complete Racing Guide.

Commenting on the sponsorship of the Superstakes by Burger King, Azan expressed the view that it was a timely intervention by the international fast food giant, and one which ensures the promotion of the Superstakes for another three years.

“It is good, very good that a company the status of Burger King is sponsoring the Superstakes for three years. This will give the Superstakes the fillip it truly deserves and I am confident that Burger King will do what is necessary to inject life and quality promotions into the race,” Azan opined.

On the touchy subject of the conditions of the race and the possible need for change, Azan was very firm in his opinion. At present the Superstakes is for local and Caribbean-bred horses only, with four-year-olds and up carrying the maximum impost of 57.0 kgs. Four-year-old fillies are given a two-kilogramme reduction in weight. Three-year-old colts carry 53.0 kgs and three-year-old fillies 51.0 kgs.

“The Superstakes is best served by keeping the conditions that currently exist. I see nothing wrong with the present conditions as in my opinion every horse is given a chance of winning, especially the up-and-coming three-year-olds.

“I hope the powers that be do not fiddle with something that is not broken. Leave it be and let’s enjoy racing at its best in the now Burger King Superstakes,” Azan declared.

The first Burger King-sponsored Superstakes will be run on Saturday November 14.