Racing loses owner-breeder ‘Naz’ Ahamad

LEADING racehorse owner-breeder Nazir Ahamad died yesterday in Miami at the age of 69,  after a long battle with cancer. Ahamad was one of the most well-known owners in the local racing industry having won all the major races. His famous red and black silks captured all the three-year-old classics, including two Royal Oak Derby victories with Renegade (1993), the last time the event was contested at the Queen’s Park Savannah, and Flag Woman in 1991. The business magnate also had horses in training in Barbados and England.

Born in San Fernando, Ahamad got involved in racing over three decades ago, but it was his association with legendary trainer Eric “Colt” Durant which rocketed him into the spotlight. This Ahamad-Durant association grew into a personal friendship between the two legends. With the passing of  Durant in a vehicular accident in 2001, Ahamad promised to keep his name alive and was the major sponsor of the Eric “Colt” Durant Memorial raceday through one of his establishments, Southern Sales and Services Group of Companies. But Ahamad will not see the next staging of the Eric “Colt” Memorial Day, the third edition, at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Arrival Day, May 31. One of the ante-post favourites for the Guineas, Over And Above, was expected to carry his famous silks in the spotligh event on the holiday programme. Last horse to don the Ahamad colours was Preffered Share, who finished unplaced in an Optional Claiming event at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on May 15.
 
Preffered Share incidentally was also his last winner, having scored among the $10,000 claiming ranks on February 20. Phantom Bidder gave Ahamad his last major success, beating his field in the Arima Race Club Cup on March 6 last year. Ahamad also served as chairman of the Betting Levy Board in 1995. With word of his passing, members of the business community and those involved in the sport of horseracing extended their deepest sympathy to his family. Among them were the San Juan Business Association, which stated that the passing of such a prominent and innovative business director will be a tremendous loss not only to Trinidad and Tobago but the Caribbean. As part of the San Juan Business Community, Mr Ahamad was a pioneer, who actively supported the activities of the association.

To his family, the association stated, “May you know that you are not alone at this difficult time and may the legacy of such an outstanding individual be a source of strength and comfort.” Joseph Hadeed, chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority, described Ahamad’s passing as “a big loss, not only to racing but to the business comunity. “He was a man of  high integrity and was respected by everyone in the racing industry.

He had great vision for the sport, was humble in winning and lost with dignity.” Arima Race Club president Gerard Ferreira called Ahamad “a pillar in the industry and his passing leaves a vaccum. We will certainly miss him especially as the horseracing industry has begun to emerge. “He is a sponsor of one of the major races on Arrival Day and was an importer and breeder of some of the better horses to have graced our tracks in the past. We will make time to remember him next raceday.”

Annalee Durant-Hewitt, daughter of the Barbadian-born trainer (Durant) who became known as “The Maestro of Marabella” said she was upset by the news. “I had known him my entire life and it is as though I have lost a second father,” she said. “He was close to the family and a father-figure at our home. “He was very thoughtful, a great friend not only to my family but all those he came into contact with,” Durant-Hewitt ended.