Richard Azan wants to saddle 700 more winners
Trainer Richard Azan became the 10th trainer in Caymanas Park racing history to saddle 700 or more career winners when his three-year-old bay colt Whisky won the Royal Lancaster Trophy on Sunday, December 18, 2022.
Ridden by Dane Dawkins, Whisky beat rivals by 2 1/4 lengths in the Restricted Allowance call for native-bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two). The final time was 1:16.1.
Azan follows Wayne DaCosta (2,290 winners); Philip Feanny (2,081 winners); Anthony Nunes (1,246 winners); Allan Williams (1,120 winners); Kenneth Mattis (1,070 winners); Laura Eileen Cliggott (976 winners); Richard Todd (810 winners); Gary Subratie (746 winners); and Aston Commock (709 winners). Only Feanny, Nunes, Subratie, and Azan are still active at present.
“Well, you know, from one to 700 has been a long journey, and it feels really good that I can still be healthy enough to saddle 700 winners — and I hope that I could saddle 700 more,” Azan told The Supreme Racing Guide.
Azan, who started training horses in 1994, has many accomplishments in the racing industry. He holds the record for the most wins in the Superstakes. Azan won this race nine times, starting with Dorval in 1995, followed by Menudo in 1999-2002, Mark My Word 2010-2012, and Franfield in 2015.
“I had quite a few really good horses and I hope to have a lot more in the future, so I can’t tell you which was the best horse. But, I am happy for this achievement and grateful, and I just want to thank everyone for their support over the years,” Azan said.
Former four-time champion jockey Charles “Boggle Man” Hussey, who has ridden many winners over the years for Azan, congratulated the hall-of-fame trainer for his success.
“Congratulations to Richard Azan! It was well deserved. He is an astute trainer, very dedicated to the industry, and it was a joy riding for him. He is a man who knows his business, knows his horses, and I didn’t have a problem riding for him. And, as I was explaining to him, if any horse had a problem, he would fix it ASAP.
“There are even more blessings. Royal Lancaster, which was owned by my family, was a great horse and Richard Azan is a great trainer, so everything combined,” Hussey said.
