Newmarket race named after Trini

TRINIDADIAN Hugo Gunning who has been promoting Trinidad and Tobago culture and products in England over the years, had a race framed in the name of his musical group at Newmarket.

Tribute was paid to Gunning last month, when a maiden event at headquarters was named the Hugo and Huguenotes EBF Maidens for two-year-olds, for his contribution to entertainment at the track, spanning 25 years. Gunning returned home last year when he accompanied English female rider Leanne Kershaw on her prize trip for winning an apprentice series at Pontefract. And while here, Kershaw won with her first ride astride Lazar Wolf at Santa Rosa Park and praised Trinidad and Tobago for making her stay a wonderful one, promising to return if given the time off by her trainer. During their one-week stay, Gunning lectured to jockeys at the Betting Levy Board offices, giving them an insight into the lifestyle of jockeys in England.

Gunning started playing with his small steelband after races and gave prizes of Angostura rum and bitters to winners of a race which he sponsors each year in the name of his native Trinidad. What he started as a simple steelband concert after races, has turned into what is now known at Newmarket as the ”Newmarket Nights,” featuring concerts by famous pop groups. The meeting in his honour was attended by 20,000 turfites and was followed by a concert. Gunning said: “Having a race named after me at a prestigious and world famous racecourse is like a horse breaking a record in the Derby. “ I am perhaps the only black person in the United Kingdom and most certainly the only Trinidadian to be so honoured. “Little did I dream, when I rode my bicycle or walked to the Queen’s Park Savannah early on mornings to see horses gallop, that it would lead to my making presentations in the winners’ circle at Newmarket.”

Gunning thanked the retired Clerk of the Course at Newmarket, who shocked him when he came up with  the idea and the BLB, which have been very supportive in securing suitable prizes for the occasion. The event named after Gunning and his group was won by two-year-old Haafdh.The winner is owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by by Barry Hills and was ridden by Richard Hills. Angus Gold, representing the owner received a Trinidad and Tobago crafted plaque, featuring a steelband man, along with a hamper containing Angostura 1919 premium rum, Angostura rum punch and Angostura Aromatic Bitters. John Millien, a Trinidadian jockey now having his first season at Newmarket as a work rider, presented a hamper to the winning jockey. Gunning who tours over 20 race courses annualy  is also busy organising  the Trinidad and Tobago Day at Pontefract, to be staged on October 6. On that day, there will be six races on  the seven-race programme named after resorts in Trinidad and Tobago. Gunning promised to again bring the champion apprentice from the Pontefract series to Trinidad next January. And he will be assisting in organising a Caribbean Race Day at Newmarket, and hopes to get involved in a similar project at Lingfield. On his return, Gunning will be keen to meet  interested businessmen who want to take advantage of the unusual form of marketing.