SUPREME RACING GUIDE (SRG): Tell us about your background.

VINCENT DUNCAN (VD): I was born in Kingston but moved to Spanish Town to live with my mother where I attended the Barracks Primary School, same place in Spanish Town. My brother was a jeweller and growing up, I wanted to do that as well. As I got older, I did plan to take on the trade with him and eventually went around him, learning the trade from him as he had a little shop.

SRG: How exactly did you end up in horse racing?

VD: Well, while at the shop with my brother, a trainer by the name of Oswald Lee came to the jewellery shop one day to get this watch repaired. While my brother was working on the watch I was there observing and Lee was talking about his profession and other aspects of the industry, and I got interested in horse racing as the whole thing sounded exciting. I told him that I wanted to come and check it out and he said ‘No problem,’ I must come — and I did go. I was about 19 years old at the time.

SRG: When did you get your groom’s licence?

VD: I didn’t come in racing to be a groom; I wanted to become a jockey. Eventually, I was here and the trainer [Oswald Lee], he had an assistant who had a son and the son wanted to become a jockey as well and so I was shadowed and he got the push. So, that ended my dream of becoming a jockey and then the next best thing was grooming horses. I got my licence in 1972.

SRG: Which horse was your first winner?

VD: I think it was with a horse named Thunder Ball, trained by Oswald Lee. It was joyful; I was so happy and excited that day. Winning your race is always going to be special, and mine was special. I will forever remember that win.

SRG: The best horse you have groomed?

VD: I have groomed a lot of horses but the best I would say was Arctic Harmony. Well, he was so consistent and he didn’t even reach the high class. He was so nice, and the chemistry between us was so good. I won many races with that horse.

SRG: Have you ever won a Classic race?

VD: No. I had horses run in those races but no winners. I placed in a couple of the Classic races, though. It is still my dream to win a Classic race one day, and I am still working hard to achieve that goal.

SRG: With over 300 victories under your belt in a 50-year career, how do you feel about not winning a Classic race?

VD: Disappointing a bit but I am okay because I am still, up to this day, winning races. I don’t know if I can reach there [winning Classic races] as I don’t have the material to do so. I have three horses now, Ultimatum, Lady Lawla, and Seadon. Over the years I did well, I didn’t reach the top but I have delivered. Everywhere I go, I have delivered.

SRG: The best horse you have seen race at Caymanas Park?

VD: Everyone has their pick and my pick is She’s A Maneater. She’s A Maneater was outstanding as a female horse. She won the Triple Crown, Superstakes and Diamond Mile in the same year, 2017. She went on to win two more Superstakes on the trot, and another Diamond Mile as well. She would have won three Diamond Mile races if she hadn’t bolted prior to the start.

SRG: Are there any trainers/or jockeys you admire?

VD: Many of the jockeys here came through my hands. I really admired the likes of George HoSang — he was a great guy — and Emilio Rodriquez. They know about the horses well. On the trainer’s side, you have Charlie James — he was a good trainer. I also admired trainer Victor Chung as well as my current trainer Tensang Chung, he treats me very well, and I am grateful for that.