Nigel Burke, the grandson of former champion trainer Nigel Nunes, and the nephew of trainers Andrew “Busha” Nunes and Anthony “Baba” Nunes, officially begins life as a professional trainer tomorrow at Caymanas Park.

Burke, who is the son of Nigel’s daughter Susan, saddles Bruce Wayne in the first race, the Royal Lancaster Trophy which is a five furlong round (1,000m) event for two-year-olds. Bruce Wayne is a bay colt by Nuclear Wayne — Xpress Card which has Burke listed also as the owner. Bruce Wayne will be ridden by apprentice Linton Steadman who is now a cemented part of the Anthony Nunes barn.

Burke’s other runner from his fledging stables of approximately five horses is Argument Done in the fourth race, named in honour of Lorenzo Robinson. The race is a six-furlong event for horses in the $450,000 – $400,000 bracket. Again, Steadman does the riding honours. Interestingly, Burke claimed Argument Done from his uncle Anthony.

The third-generation Nunes did not officially get his trainer’s licence in Jamaica. Instead, the young man was schooled in Barbados and has now brought his tack to Caymanas Park.

The Nunes family has had a long and lasting effect on the history of horse racing in Jamaica from the time Nigel was at his best, especially during the 1970s, winning the Derby in 1972 with Balladier and again in 1979 with Lucky Ole Sun. Probably the best horse trained by Nigel was the outstanding local bred filly Hot Line ( Chief Minister – Alert Form), in whose honour one of the top three-year-olds races is currently named. Not to be outdone, Hot Line was owned by Hillis Nunes, the matriarch of the Nunes clan, the wife of Nigel Nunes, and mother of Anthony, Andrew and Susan.

Andrew, who was sighted at last Sunday’s Yearling Sale, won the Derby in 1993 with Restless Babe with probably his most memorable moment coming in 1994, when in a rain storm, he won the Red Stripe Superstakes again with Restless Babe. Andrew now plies his trade in Barbados.

Anthony had numerous successes in Jamaica and in Trinidad, his lasting coming last Saturday when he won the Burger King Superstakes with, Bigdaddykool.