It was in 1974 when a young Wayne DaCosta saddled his first winner, Windsor. On Saturday, a much older DaCosta walked onto racing’s hallowed ground, the winner’s enclosure, for the 1,950th time when his charge Dysfunctional ridden by Omar Walker won a maiden three-year-old event.

On reaching his 1,950th winner, DaCosta – known to many as “The Kid’ – joined many-time champion Philip Feanny as the winningest trainers in the history of horse racing in Jamaica.

In addition to winning 1,950 races, DaCosta has earned by far the most stakes money and has won the trainers’ championship a record 15 times. Feanny has won the championship 14 times.

“Records are meant to be broken. In every sport, records are set and records are broken, and it is the same in horse racing. I have no doubt that one day my records will also be broken. But for now, I am a joint holder of the record,” an obviously pleased DaCosta said after the victory by Dysfunctional.

The champion trainer says his success is based on his owners who have supported him over the many years he has been conditioning horses.

“I have had owners in my barn for a very long time. They provide the oxygen needed for me to survive as well as members of my staff.

“To them I say thanks, and the hope is that despite the many upheavals in our sport, they will stay with me.

“I could not achieve my successes in racing without the strong and unwavering support of my family. Every moment, every inch of the way, furlong after furlong, mile after mile, my wife Elizabeth and children Stephanie and Jason have given me unconditional support.

“You have to understand that it has never been easy, but knowing that my family is totally behind me provided the strong foundation for me to grow and to flourish in my chosen profession,” DaCosta said.

While praising his owners and family for their continuous support, DaCosta was still revelling in the moment of reaching 1,950 winners.

“Well, the feeling right now is one of joy and happiness. I am feeling really happy at the moment as this is a very special occasion for me,” DaCosta told the Complete Racing Guide.

“This is a great achievement for me and for the sport. It is something others can aim at, and that is the way it should be.

“What it really means is that the hard work I have been putting in over the years has been worth it. I am proud of this moment in my career. This is definitely one of the crowning moments in my career,” DaCosta said.

While basking in the glory of his achievement, DaCosta had a thought for the other co-holder of the record, Philip Feanny.

“Philip Feanny is a good trainer and his many achievements testify to his acumen as a conditioner. He is still training horses, so he will win one today and I will win one tomorrow. But I am really happy with this accomplishment.

“To be the all-time winning trainer at Caymanas Park would be further icing on the cake, and I will definitely be working to achieve that goal,” DaCosta declared.