GROOMS are an important component in the wheels of the racing industry as the time they spend with their horses exceeds that spent by any of the other professionals involved with horse racing.

Dave Bell has put in the long hours and was able, by dint of his dedication and his expertise, to reap the ultimate in horse racing — and that is the reason he is so happy at the moment.

Bell, who currently works with trainer Patrick Lynch, in a career spanning over 30 years has won five Classic races. His Classic victories have come under the umbrella of one trainer, Lynch, which is a rare feat among grooms in the history of racing at the Park.

Bell groomed The Bomber in 2007 to win the Jamaica Derby; Disability Charm in the 2018 – 1000 Guineas; Drone Strike in the 2018 Jamaica Derby, and Blue Vinyl in the 2022 2000 Guineas and Jamaica St Leger.

“I grew up in Duhaney Park, along with my siblings; I was the first child for my old lady. Friends introduced me to racing and told me to go to the track, as I was desperate for work because it was only my mother taking care of us and it was hard at times. I ended up at the racetrack from I was 17 years old. I came to the racetrack with the intention of becoming a jockey. I rode in the apprentice races and I won two of them but I never did make it to becoming a jockey, so I ended up as a groom in the industry.

“Most of my time in the racing industry was with trainer Richard Todd and Patrick Lynch, so all the of successes were with these two trainers, but Lynch accounted for most [of the] major accomplishments. With Lynch, I have won five Classic races. It is [a] really great accomplishment for a groom to win one Classic race but to [win] five? It is unbelievable, something very special.

“And to [do] it with the same trainer over the years is remarkable as well. I never expected to have accomplished so many things in racing. I am of the view that success only comes with hard work. It is a very good achievement because we are coming from far. We have accomplished a lot over the years and I am very grateful for everything,” Lynch told The Supreme Racing Guide.

Bell said that during his career he has groomed many talented runners but Blue Vinyl stands out above the rest.

“Best horse for me is Blue Vinyl. He won the 2000 Guineas, St Leger, and was going for the Derby. I have several good horses that did good things but never accomplished what Blue Vinyl did in one year. I won Derby with The Bomber [and] he was a good horse but he never really go on, so I couldn’t consider him as the best.

“The best horse I have seen race at Caymanas Park was Miracle Man. He went aboard and did what no other horse was able to do he won the Classic race in Puerto Rico. Plus, he has won so many big races out here. She’s A Maneater was an outstanding filly as well,” the Penwood Secondary School graduate shared with this publication.

There comes a time when everyone must heed a certain call and Bell said that it is time for him to answer the phone.

“I consider myself leaving the sport in the next two years, I don’t think I will be going more than that, and so by now and that time I hope that I can get more winners and even one more Derby win. I am working hard for that. I don’t intend to work until my back bends down here. I am 60 years old and I don’t think I am going to work past a certain age,” he reiterated.

Bell continued: “I don’t have any intentions of pursuing anything else in the game. When I retire, I am not coming back to the game. The plan is to take some rest and hopefully start my own business. What is life is life. What is for you is for you, and I am grateful. Maybe if you could turn back the hands of time you would probably have done something differently but I am okay.”