Nicholas Smith became another from the latest batch of trainers to celebrate a first win after his eight-year-old bay mare Court Call won the second event on Wednesday’s (April 3, 2019) 10-race midweek programme at Caymanas Park.

Ridden by champion jockey Anthony Thomas, Court Call won by 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Also Correct (Christopher Mamdeen) and Bay Commander (Phillip Parchment) in an Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) event over 7 ½ furlongs (1,500m). Court Call covered the distance in 1:31.0.

Smith said that he was happy to enter the winners’ enclosure for the time since receiving his licence in December of 2017.

“I feel good about this win. I put in the work and it brought me this first win, and it will serve as an encouraging start for me. I am happy that I was able to get off the mark and hope many more winners will follow,” Smith hoped.

Smith continued: “I got my training licence in 2017 and started my first horse in February of 2018. I have a couple starters under my care who are all claimers but this win is quite a relief after waiting so long to get off the mark, but they will keep me active and well-tuned until the better horses come along.”

Smith then shared his pathway into the racing industry.

“I do have a fairly good background in training…in the caring and preparation of horses for racing, as I am a third-generation trainer, being the grandson of Ivan “Bembe” Smith and the son of currently active conditioner Paul Smith.

“I have been around horses for some time, being at one time I was the assistant to Borris McIntosh, my dad, and another trainer, George Robb.

“At the moment, I have three horses under my care in Court Call, Rohan’s Cattleya and a young horse and with time, my desire is to increase the stable size after attracting new owners,” the younger Smith said.