BARRINGTON Bernard became the seventh trainer to win a race among the 39 conditioners who graduated from the 2023 Jamaica Racing Commission’s (JRC) Trainers’ Training Programme on May 12.

On Saturday, June 10 Bernard’s charges, Anngelos and Hecandance, finished first and second, respectively, in a three-year-old and upward Claiming ($750,000-$600,000) event over seven furlongs (1,400m). Bernard is also the owner of Anngelos.

Newly certified trainers Paul Swaby, Michael Spencer, Oral Hayden, Carlton Cunningham, Captain Marlon Brown, and Gregg Fennell all won races before Bernard.

“I feel very good. I mean, it is a very wonderful feeling to win my race as a trainer, and I am grateful for it. I am happy that I could get off the mark — and to do it with a one-two finish is amazing!” Bernard told Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“If I could describe the feeling I would say that I feel like I am on top of the moon right now because of the way I am happy,” Bernard further added.

Ridden by Roger Hewitt, Anngelos settled in mid-pack at the start of the race and watched as stablemate Hecandance (Jawara Steadman) set the early pace ahead of Drone Strike (Anthony Allen) and High Dilopmacy (Shamaree Muir).

Anngelos made her move approaching the half-mile (800m) turn when she slipped down in third place, although Hecandance upped the tempo on rivals. When all seemed lost in deep stretch Hewitt produced his mount for an effort and Anngelos responded well, getting up in time to nip Hecandance on the wire and winning by a neck. The final time for the race was 1:28.3 (24.0 x 47.3 x 1:13.3).

“Once again, expect great things from me going forward. I have gotten off the mark, and this will only give me encouragement to continue the work. I am serious about horse racing and we are going further and further as the sky is the limit right now,” Bernard said.