The applause and post-race adulation far surpassed what had accompanied the day’s two previous races, as the jockey Qin Yong trotted out Senor Guitar, magnificently shimmering in sweat, before an adoring public waiting to get a closer glimpse at the lightning-fast thoroughbred. This race, which seemed to last mere seconds, had been decades in the making. It was the third race of the inaugural Pitons Cup held in Vieux Fort two weeks ago, and although not officially the showcase of our National Day’s four-race event, it definitely was the sentimental highlight of an unforgettable day of horse-racing. But as the victorious trainer Deon Visser wrapped his fingers around the first place trophy, all eyes were on the Trim family.
Over two years ago, Winston Trim, owner of the Hoofprint Horseriding Ranch had passed away. His love for everything equine is legendary. As Teo Ah Khing has since revealed, what ultimately led to the inaugural Pitons Cup in Saint Lucia, and to the development of the Pearl of the Caribbean, was Winston Trim’s determination to see the creation of a modern racetrack in his home country. His reaction at the passing of his friend: “I speak on behalf of our entire team when I say that we were shocked and deeply saddened by Winston’s loss. He was very much a part of this project and his passing was taken very hard, especially by our team who worked with him daily in Saint Lucia. It is our intention to ensure future generations remain aware of his legacy by honouring him every year at our feature race . . . ”
And so was born the UK Tote Group Winston Trim Memorial Trophy. On hand after the gripping race were Trim’s son Winston Trim Jr. with his wife Soraya, as well as Trim’s brother Kirley.
Said an emotional Trim Jr: “Honestly, the fact that there’s such a big race named after my father, I can’t even . . . especially since I have the same name . . . it’s such an honour to have a race named for him. It’s definitely something he deserved. Words cannot describe how proud I am of my father, my family, this island, Mr Teo [Ah Khing], the prime minister, everyone who worked so hard to make my father’s dream a reality, and then some!”
Additionally: “This really is a big project. You just can’t imagine how big, and what it’ll do for the island and its people. It’s just amazing that it’s all off the strength of horses. To everyone here, horses are the way of life.”
Standing at her husband’s side, and obviously just as excited, Winston Trim’s daughter-in-law Soraya exclaimed: “Yes, it truly is amazing. He definitely deserved it. This is his dream come true. This was his vision. And it’s come to life. We are so proud and we’re here to represent him. We’re never gonna forget him, and I hope that at all the races to come he will be remembered and honoured . . . Oh, I’m about to cry.”
She paused to regain her composure before adding: “He never gave up. And we are beyond happy. We’re ecstatic to be here representing him and the family.”
Kirley Trim, with a broad grin, reflected on the journey he and his brother had embarked on a long time ago: “Ever since I’ve known myself I’ve been with horses. I’ve got photos of myself at eleven months astride a horse with my dad. When I was just four weeks old, they tell me, I was bitten by a horsefly. So it’s all in me. It’s in all of us.”
He recalled: “My brother’s dream was to have a racetrack in Saint Lucia, regardless how small, so long as it was successful. And having a successful international track right now is one of the best things that could happen to us in Saint Lucia. I believe my brother is looking on from above, yes he is!”
Kirley continued: “It’s very, very exciting for me personally. I’ve been waiting for this all my life; my brother, even longer. That vision has been in him since 1992 really, when he spoke to a good friend of his from Trinidad, Mr David Loregnard, who is the head steward down here and who’s involved in everything to do with organising the racetrack. That was the plan from the beginning. And although Winston’s not here to see this, David, myself, his son, his daughter-in-law, are here. And we couldn’t be happier.”
