Ryan Williams, another racehorse conditioner from the last batch of graduates turned out by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) in late 2017, registered his maiden win by posting Pythagoras Theorem to victory at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

A four-year-old bay filly by Storm Craft – Reel Nice Lady owned by Yehert Miller and bred by Richard Lake, Pythagoras Theorem was also winning for the first time following some near misses in his eight career starts.

Ridden by Melissa Ward, Pythagoras Theorem sat with the pace but gathered momentum leaving the two-furlong (400m) mark to come home in good order by 5 ½ lengths going four furlongs (800m) in a time of 47.4. Classy Vishala (Phillip Parchment) was second with Rundazzle (Omar Walker) third.

Williams comes from a long line of family members with strong thoroughbred racing connections.

After his maiden success, Williams said: “I am extremely pleased with this achievement, but it could not have been accomplished without great assistance from a number of people, including members of my family, trainers, grooms and jockeys. Special commendation must go my instructors at the JRC, Dr Sophia Ramlal and Dr St Aubyn Bartlett. They conducted an elevated technical training preparation for trainers and saw to it that all 22 students were well fortified with the knowledge of how to prepare and care for the thoroughbred.”

Williams shared his journey into the racing industry.

“Getting into racing was a foregone conclusion. I got involved in horse racing from a tender age as I had a lot of family members who worked or used to work down here (Caymanas Park) like my mother, so too grandmother and grandfather. I still have family who continue to work here such as Robert Halledeen, who is my cousin. I have really developed a passion for horses from that association.

“Looking back from day one, we as boys made stick horses from cherry sticks, but it never dawned on me until I left school to look wholeheartedly at a career in the industry. On Saturdays, I used to carry the load for my mother up here to help her sell and things like that, because that is what send us to school, and from then on, with the frequent association, I found myself becoming a lover of horses. It was only then that I discovered it’s in me. it’s in my blood,” he shared.

Williams continued: “Most of all, though, this win means a lot to me and my family. But I want to give a hearty and richly deserved credit to Mr Soutar (Welsh) — my boss, my brother and my mentor. For the last seven years he has taught me all that I should know about racehorses and, with his help, I am where I am today. Others, I must mention are Clive McDowald (“AK Dow”), Keith Johnstone and groom Anthony Blair, who all assisted with my first winner, Pythagoras Theorem. They made me understand that to be a good trainer, I must read. There is much more I can say, but for now I am just grateful for the win. Trainer Steven Todd is my brother by another mother, but he is always there for me no matter what, to support me.

“Another relative who is also a trainer is Robert Alvaranga; he is also a brother of mine. Racing is my joy. This win is a joy to me, but I am aware that they will not always be winners, so with patience and virtue, I will just have to wait and work diligently and I will get there,” he said.