Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
A PALL of gloom descended on Caymanas Park yesterday after one of the island's leading racehorse trainers, Howard Phillipps, was shot and killed by a lone gunman at his stable minutes prior to the running of the first race.
The killing occurred about 11:45 a.m. while Phillipps and a fellow trainer were inside the stable's office sorting out the gear for horses both trainers had in the third race.
It is reported that a lone gunman came through the door, aimed the gun at Phillipps and fired once.
The 54-year-old trainer and former military man was shot in the chest just below his left breast. The man reportedly aimed the gun in the direction of the other trainer while backing away through the door, but ran away without firing again, jumping a nearby wall and making good his escape.
MINUTE'S SILENCE
Phillipps, bleeding profusely, was rushed to the Spanish Town Hospital where he died at 12:15 p.m., according to track physician Dr. Errol O'Connor who accompanied the wounded trainer in the track ambulance.
A minute's silence was observed at the track for his passing, while the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association through its vice-president, Vin Edwards extended condolences to his family. All six horses from the Phillipps' stables down to run on the 10-race card were subsequently withdrawn.
Educated at St. George's College and Sandhurst Military Academy in Britain, Phillipps has been training horses on and off for the past 30 years. He will best be remembered for his successes with top class horses HOLY CAT and RECA in the late 70s. Significantly, Phillipps marked his 200th winner, ELEGANCE, in the eighth race on Saturday, January 17.
