Owner Stephan Narinesingh has been quietly making a name for himself in the Caribbean, and though he has never won the status of the champion owner in T&T, he has done just that in Jamaica.
Thirty-Seven (37) year-old Narinesingh, who grew up in Union Village in Claxton Bay, is now the leading owner in the Southern Caribbean.
Narinesingh came into racing in 1999 when he bought Ruby Rich and gave that horse to Neal K Maharaj to train. He then proceeded to purchase Blackbag Charlie from the "Maverick" of local racing, Maniram "Boboy" Maharaj and that move proved successful.
When asked which was his best horse in T&T, Narinesingh did not hesitate, saying: “Funkylikeatrain. This horse won some excellent races for me when trained by Harriram Gobin. However, my most significant success in Trinidad came when I was only 21 years old, and John O'Brien landed the Independence Cup with Golden Shuffleur for me. That was my first Grade One win, and that came in the year 2006.
"In Trinidad, the record will show that I have won 152 races and 30 of those were in partnership."
In 2016 in Jamaica, Narinesingh became the champion owner when his string of horses won more races than any other and landed many Graded events inclusive of the Derby.
Technomoto is a full brother to T&T's Derby winner Momentum, half-brother Academy Award and General JN which finished second in last month's Trinidad Derby.
"Since moving to Jamaica, I have had great success, and I had great two-year-old in Sotomayer which was the 'Champion Two-Year-Old'. Another superb juvenile was Alacrann which was the champion two-year-old but had problems as a three-year-old.
"In 2013, I had another superb filly in Select A Book which ran away with the Fillies Guineas.
"Only two weeks ago, we brought back a four-year-old which was maiden until August 25 called Ice Cold, which we sent on the farm and then to Polo and guess what, that horse has won four races for us between then and now. He broke his maiden tag on August 25 and then proceeded to win on the September 8, 22 and 29."
When asked about his move to Jamaica ten years ago, the young owner said, "I feel at home in Jamaica, and I still have an interest in racing in T&T. However, his best reward as an owner in Jamaica came after eight years in 2016 when he won his first Superstakes when second favourite Bigdaddykool took the Graded Stakes event via the stewards’ room. "
How he felt then after taking this prestigious prize, he intimated, "The feeling was great, but I would have preferred if I had passed the winning post in the first position because I know and I believe that Bigdaddykool was the best stayer here in Jamaica at that time. What was good was and most importantly was that Bigdaddykool was only a three-year-old and would have only improved from there on.
"Eight years ago, I made the trip from T&T to Jamaica, and that was a big sacrifice. I didn’t know anyone here and look where I am today, winning the Superstakes and the Owner’s "Triple Crow" and becoming the champion owner.
"Horse racing is my passion; it is my love. I have made a lot of sacrifices to be where I am today in the sport and will continue to do so," said Narinesingh, who credited trainer Anthony Nunes for his success.
"Hats off to my trainer, my friend and my brother Anthony Nunes and all the Nunes family and friends for the support they have been giving me over the years, and the Jamaican public as well. I feel welcomed, I feel like I am home and I am happy. To have these successes, I must thank them and God every day for the guidance."
Narinesingh did what no other Trinidadian owner ever did and completed the owners’ ‘Triple Crown’ with Bigdaddykool.
The Trinidadian won the Guineas, the Derby, and St Leger.
After the running of the ISP Finance Services Limited- sponsored Jamaica St Leger at Caymanas Park, an elated Narinesingh was etched into the annals of Jamaican racing history as he witnessed his charge Bigdaddykool win the season’s final Classic race.
He said, "Bigdaddykool is very consistent. He has a heart, a huge heart and he tries very hard each time he goes on the track. He always gives his best at all times, and I am very proud to say he is a horse that I own.
"I have won a Guineas, I have gained a Derby, and I have won St Leger in Jamaica, so I am a pleased man at the moment.
"I cannot help but thank trainer Anthony Nunes, for all the work and support he has given me whether it is in or outside of racing, and to his family as well, who have always been there for me.
"I must mention my friends David Miller and Brian Broomfield who have supported me throughout this journey.
"I came here (Jamaica), and they have all treated me very well, and they make me feel like family. I love Jamaica, and I feel like I am a Jamaican," Narinesingh said.
"The performance by Bigdaddykool was nothing less than excellent. It was also a great time as he won in 2:06:3 minutes which is ‘A’ Class timing and now he is getting better and better.
"Bigdaddykool has helped me a lot this year as he helped pushed me to the owner’s championship."
Narinesingh paid tribute to some other outstanding thoroughbreds which he owned like the mighty Patriarch which had no peers as a juvenile. In his final run as a juvenile Patriarch put down another electrifying performance to win the Juvenile Sprint, one of the two-year-old Superstakes Day.
Running undefeated for the third time and bred for speed, the Casual Trick bay colt covered himself with great acclamation for another inviting front-running display to win the event in a smart 1:19.1, achieved under foreboding splits of 22.3, 45.2, 1:11.3 to win by 4 1/2 lengths.
Patriarch looks like a champion, runs like a champion, and Elias Haloute, who bred the colt and shares ownership with fellow Trinidadian Narinesingh, was on hand to watch and said: “Nobody sets out to produce anything less than a champion. You feel very proud when you are privileged to own a horse that always exhibits the characteristics of a good racehorse.
Narinesingh, who sees Jamaica as his second home, said he was “pleased to share the moment of the success of Patriarch with Haloute there at Caymanas Park and not on the phone”.
The irony of it all is that Electrifying is the dam of Patriarch and she was the first horse that was co-owned by both Haloute and Narinesingh.
Narinesingh recounted that Electrifying had her problems as a racer, “but she ran her heart out to win races, even in pain. She's an outstanding thoroughbred”. Then there is Sayrouz which was also a top class racehorse.
Between the racing season of 2016-2018 Narinesingh has won 104 races and from his arrival in Jamaica he has racked up 216 wins. Narinesingh is flying T&T's flag high in Jamaica.