Christopher Joseph Armond, known by his colleagues, friends, and legion of racing fans as “Mr Horse Racing”, died Wednesday morning (approximately 8:30 am) after a short illness which curtailed his work as a consultant with the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC).

Armond, who is survived by his wife Allison, son Jordan and brother Wayne, was 67 years old.

The respected administrator and commentator was inducted in the Hall of Fame of Thoroughbred Racing in June 2017 under the category of Other Racing Personalities.

It was natural for Armond to have a professional life in the horse racing industry, as his father Joseph — a Hall of Fame inductee — was co-managing director of Caymanas Park Limited. His grandfather Altamont was the founder of the then promoting company Jamaica Turf Club.

Given the opportunity by the management of the racetrack and the then Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation, Chris Armond established a new level of excitement and accuracy to race commentary with his distinguished vocal delivery.

From 1975 to 1985, he was the voice of local racing and remains the standard by which others, even overseas commentators, are judged by Jamaican fans.

In 1984, Armond was awarded the Press Association of Jamaica Golden Microphone award for his outstanding commentaries and was also the recipient of the Caymanas Track Limited Chairman’s award in 1993.

While Armond made a substantial impact as a commentator, it was his work as an administrator that left a lasting impact on the industry.

Armond served as the racing secretary from 1985 and the first director of racing before accepting an offer from Detroit Racecourse in the United States in 1988.

Another offer came from Hialeah in Florida, but Armond responded to the request from then Caymanas Track Limited chairman and Member of Parliament Danny Melville to return to Caymanas Park as director of racing with the additional portfolios of promotions, marketing and public relations from 1989.

In 1993, Armond fathered the implementation of the Claiming System and introduced the now famous high-five exotic wager which has become one of the favoured local bets.

Armond’s racing administrative skills were not only for the local industry as he working as the vice-president of racing in both Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

On his return to Jamaica in the early part of the 2000s, Armond played a vital behind-the-scene role in the development of the Diamond Mile race day.

In December of 2020, Armond retired from his position as director of racing with the promoting company Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL). A trophy event, the Chris Armond Sprint, was named in his honour. After his retirement from the promoting company, Armond stayed with horse racing working as a consultant with the JRC.

Chairman of the JRC Clovis Metcalfe, in paying tribute, said Armond’s knowledge and expertise in horse racing was second to none.

“Christopher Joseph Armond represented all the good to be found in the sport of horse racing. Chris got his introduction to horse racing from his grandfather Altamont and his father Joseph, who were both firmly attached to the sport.

“Chris Armond’s first foray into racing was as a commentator, and many racing fans will always remember his sublime and distinctive commentating skills, which brought many to the sport just by listening to his commentaries on radio and television. He truly became the voice of horse racing in Jamaica.

“Then he undertook the role of administrator and it was then that Chris introduced several new innovations including new bets, new distances, always placing at the top of the list the professionals in the sport, and the betting public,” said Metcalfe.

“I extend sympathies on behalf of the JRC family to Chris’s wife Allison, his son Jordan, brother Wayne, and his many family members and friends,” Chairman Metcalfe said.

Executive chairman of SVREL Solomon Sharpe said in his tribute: “I have many fond memories of working with Chris from the early days and was always impressed by his vast knowledge. I found myself extremely fortunate to have a chance to know him and to share those beautiful memories with him. He has done so much for Caymanas Park and the horse racing industry in general. He will be greatly missed. Also, I want to express my deepest sympathy to his family. My prayers and thoughts are with them in this challenging time.”