LENNIS Shim became the 12th trainer to win a race from the 39 who graduated from the Jamaica Racing Commission’s (JRC) Trainers’ Training Programme on May 12, 2023, when Faulyna Forever came home in the third race on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

Seven-year-old bay mare Faulyna Forever, ridden by Anthony Thomas, came from behind runners to win the $770,000 three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($400,000-$300,000) contest that also included six-year-olds and upwards non-winners of four at five furlongs (1,000m) straight.

“It is a good feeling to win my first race as a licensed trainer at Caymanas Park. It is a wonderful feeling, and I must thank everyone for their support throughout my journey,” Shim said in his post race interview.

“Now that I have gotten off the mark, the work continues to reap more success. I have some horses on programmes so you can expect more from me in terms of winners,” Shim added.

It was an even start for all the runners in the five-horse field at the off. Faulyna Forever raced behind Quantum Dancer (Shamaree Muir), with Dare To Speak (Jawara Steadman) and Bold Sami (Roger Hewitt) closely following.

Quantum Dancer continued to lead the field coming across the dummy rails but then began to shorten in the final stages of the race, which allowed Faulyna Forever to come through for the win.

Faulyna Forever won by a length and a half ahead of Bold Sami and Quantum Dancer in a time of 1:05.0 (24.1 x 49.0).