Trainers at Caymanas Park have been remembering the contribution made to the horse racing industry by one of its most illustrious professionals, Wayne DaCosta.

DaCosta passed away on Wednesday morning after battling the novel coronavirus disease.

Racing professionals shared their thoughts of the man many have called a legend.

TRAINER ROY MATTHEWS

The relationship I had with Wayne DaCosta was a very good one. I mean, he is a very good person, a respectable one as well and he is also someone I look up to. I used to work for him and so I knew him well and I am really saddened by the news of his passing. This is a very sad news and normally this type of news is not the news that I want to wake up and hear. Very sad news and the racing industry will never be the same without him. Condolence to his family members.

TRAINER IAN ALEXANDER

A very sad moment for racing. We have lost an icon. When the news reached us this morning (Wednesday, March 24) at the track that the icon of racing has passed on, it came to us as though a dark cloud had come to settle over racing as we were there wishing for him a speedy recovery. His death is a sad loss. He was a no-nonsense person but a very helpful person to know. Fun-loving and perceptive, he was the engine of racing, keeping everybody on their toes with the rivalry to defeat him. For this and his other humane attributes, he will be severely missed in racing circles. May God go with you, Wayne and rest well.

JOCKEY ANTHONY THOMAS

We had a very good relationship. We had a very special bond as he is a great trainer. We got along very well and he was always respectful. The relationship in and out of racing with Mr DaCosta was very good and I looked up to him with great respect. When I heard about his passing on Wednesday morning, I was really shaken up, as Mr DaCosta and I worked very closely with his horses and I can tell you that his knowledge of horses and the racing game was second to none. Yet he listened to us as jockeys, what we had to say about horses and more often than not made the changes to get the better out of these horses. The two championships that I have won, I was the stable jockey at his barn, I was riding for him. The biggest race I won in my career, the Superstakes, was aboard She’s A Maneater, who everyone knows was trained by Mr DaCosta. I am really sad at this time and can understand what his family is going through. My condolence to his family members and to those at the stables who Mr DaCosta supported. Rest in peace, trainer!

GROOM PRESIDENT FABIAN WHITE

In my book, Wayne DaCosta is an icon of the racing industry. We had a very good relationship and I respected him a lot. As the president for grooms, I had to deal with DaCosta a lot and I can tell you, he was a very good person. I would normally go to him and Philip Feanny for advice on how to go about things such as getting wage increase for grooms, as well as negotiating situations and they always helped me. I am really sad and the entire racing industry is shaken up by this sad news. Condolence to his family members and friends. We will never be the same, racing will never be the same without the man everybody knew as ‘Pardie’.

FORMER DIRECTOR OF RACING CHRIS ARMOND

There is absolutely no doubt that horse racing has lost one of its major figures in Wayne DaCosta. Wayne was the ultimate professional, as while others trained in the mornings and then moved on to other endeavours for the rest of the day, his life was entirely dedicated to horse racing. His figures over the course of the over 40 years he has been in horse racing were the best ever attained in Jamaica. Wayne was indeed one of the major successes of the sport of horse racing. He passing is a great loss and I extend my sincerest condolence to his family, wife Elizabeth, children — Jason and Stephanie — and to members of his stables.

ACTING SENIOR VETERINARIAN AT THE JAMAICA RACING COMMISSION DR SOPHIA RAMLAL

The veterinary community is saddened by the untimely passing of trainer Wayne DaCosta. We have come to know and respect him as someone who prioritised equine welfare and invested his time and skills in not just routine care of horses, but as one who advocated for their betterment as athletes. We applaud also his willingness to mould young professionals and lead a team of professionals that pursued the best outcomes for the horses and racing . Wayne DaCosta was not only a good horseman who took care and got the best from his horses, he was also a good human being who cared for others, especially those who were part of his stables.

Over the many years we worked together, I have had many enthralling conversations with Wayne and in these conversations his good nature always came to the fore. Sad, sad, sad, that Wayne DaCosta went so early as he had much more to offer the sport of horse racing. The veterinary community offers its sympathies to his wife Elizabeth and his children, Jason and Elizabeth.

TRAINER EDDIE HAMILTON

Everyone had a good relationship with Wayne DaCosta and there is nothing bad you can say about this great trainer. We got a long very well and he is that type of person that will help you; he is helpful and very respectful as well. It is very sad to hear what has happened and I am very hurt about it. Racing will never be the same without him. Everyone comes to the track to see his horses run. He was a great trainer in my book. He will be missed and will be remembered for a very, very long time. Condolence to his family.

JOCKEY SHANE ELLIS

Great loss for racing. I used to ride for him and I can tell you he was a true professional in his work. We all are saddened and disappointed by his passing, but it is just a part of life and we cannot do anything about it. Condolences to his family members as racing loss a true champion.

CHAMPION APPRENTICE OSHANE NUGENT

Wayne DaCosta was a very good trainer; he knew his craft very well. We got a long well as I rode a winner for him. He is very supportive as well and it is very sad to hear about his passing. The entire racing industry will miss this man as he is a legend. Racing will never be same as it was very interesting to see his horses run, the excitement and competitiveness he showed. It is just a sad moment. Condolence to his family.

OWNER/BREEDER HENRY JAGHAI

Deepest condolence to the family of Wayne DaCosta, OD — one of the greatest horse trainers in Jamaica. He was a close family friend and godfather to my granddaughter, Tira Jaghai Delisser. He trained numerous winners for me and set the bar high for other trainers to follow. He was indeed a true gentleman and will be greatly missed. May his soul rest in peace.