Former many-times champion jockey in Jamaica and Canada, George HoSang, said the passing of his long-time friend and racing administrator Christopher Armond on Wednesday (May 11) marks the end of a significant era in the annals of local racing. HoSang was quick to point out that the Armond name has been associated with horse racing in Jamaica for a long period, with Chris’s grandfather Altamont and his father Joseph being firmly attached to racing.

“I remember the days when Chris was a young lad, then he visited the racetrack regularly. He then started to commentate but as jockeys, we would be paying attention to our rides on the day, so I was not able to listen to his commentaries, and there were no replays those days. I left Jamaica in the mid-1970s to ride in Canada, before going on to Miami where I finished my riding career.

“It was while riding in Canada and Miami that my personal friendship with Chris started to develop.

“As the racing secretary, Chris Armond was the man instrumental, along with some trainers and owners, in getting some prime rides for me here in Jamaica while I was located in Miami,” HoSang shared.

He then told of some of the communication between Armond and himself in getting rides such as The Viceroy in the Superstakes for trainer Philip Feanny, Exotic Dancer in the Jamaica Oaks for trainer Anthony Nunes, and the speed merchant She’s On Wheels for trainer Dennis Sasso.

“Chris Armond acted as the intermediary in my getting the ride on The Viceroy in the Superstakes. And what a race that turned out to be with The Viceroy pitted against the three-year-old champion Milligram with the great Winston “Fanna” Griffiths in the saddle. This was a great race because the competition was intense and racing fans at Caymanas Park on the day were left in a frenzy.

“With Exotic Dancer, if memory serves me right, the owners went to Chris, and then he contacted me, and I came down, mounted up and won on Exotic Dancer in the 10-furlong Jamaica Oaks, this was after Exotic Dancer had raced and lost in the 1000 Guineas.

“As to my riding She’s On Wheels, well that was an effort between trainer Sasso and Chris. She’s On Wheels was lightning fast and I think I came to Jamaica and won twice on this imported filly.

“So, over the years, I real friendship developed between Chris and myself which withstood the test of time. I was moved when I was informed about his passing. We spoke about three weeks ago when he came out of the hospital, so it was a shock to me that he passed away so quickly,” HoSang said in his interview with the Supreme Racing Guide.

He then put in context his relationship with Armond.

“What I quickly found out about Chris Armond was his unique knowledge of horse racing not only in Jamaica but across the world especially in the United States, Canada, and England.

“Chris was always talking about horse racing, what he wanted to do to uplift the industry, whether that was introducing new bets, giving incentives to the professionals and he was the man for the grand promotions, as we all saw with what he did with the Superstakes race day.

“Chris was pivotal to racing as even after he retired from his job with the promoting company, he continued to work in racing, I am told with the Jamaica Racing Commission. Chris Armond had racing in his blood and that is all to it.

“Condolences are extended to Chris’s wife, Allison, his son Jordan, and his brother Wayne. The prayers of the HoSang family are with the Armond family during this trying time for them,” George HoSang ended.