The year 2008 will always be a special one for trainer Fitznahum Williams. That’s the year when “Features” — as he prefers to be called — unwrapped the glory of the Triple Crown.

Williams’ charge, the brilliant filly Alsafra had already won the Jamaica 1,000 Guineas (one mile — 1,600m) and the Jamaica Derby (12 furlongs — 2,400m), and was taking aim at the last jewel in the crown — the Jamaica St Leger (10 furlongs — 2,000m).

Alsafra, owned by Sherman Clachar and Norman Gordon and ridden by Trinidadian Brian Harding, turned out a comfortable winner of the Jamaica St Leger, thereby becoming the second filly at Caymanas Park to sweep all three Classic races that are a part of the Triple Crown series.

Willaims said that Alsafra was a very special horse to him; the best he has ever trained since he began his career in 1996.

“I started racing Alsafra against the fillies and she developed nicely, and then after that I decided to put her up against the male horses and that was good as she did herself proud. Her performances against the ‘boys’ were very good. She was special to me, a very special horse,” Williams said.

After victories in the 1,000 Guineas and the Jamaica Derby, Williams said that he was sure of Alsafra’s chances of completing the rare feat of winning the Triple Crown.

“Going into the St Leger with Alsafra was very easy for me because she had already beaten the horses who were going to run against her. It was an easy race in my opinion. The performance by Alsafra in the St Leger to win the Triple Crown was really great.

“It was really something to cherish and I talk and think about it a lot and will do so for a very long time. It was a good win and a win that I will always remember. It was really a good feeling as it is a moment that every trainer dreams of — winning the Triple Crown,” Williams said.

According to Williams, he didn’t have much to do with his charge in terms of preparing her for her date with destiny.

“ Alsafra was coming out of the 12-furlong Jamaica Derby, and so I just bounced her very easily in the mornings at exercise and then gave her one blowout work eight days before the St Leger.

“That was a six-furlong gallop and she did it well. She wasn’t a difficult racehorse to train as she was cool and easy-going. I really have a special likeness for that horse,” Williams proclaimed.