PHILLIPS Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Richard Phillipps is like a returning resident to Caymanas Park.
A hot young trainer in the mid and late '80s, he turned his back on racing in 1994 for "personal reasons" only to resume phase two of his career in August of last year.
Now 54, 'Richie' as he is popularly called, won his first race in 13 years at the Park on Saturday, March 10 when the 3-2 favourite PADDY'S STORM, the horse owned and trained by him, made all under veteran jockey David 'Scorcher' McKenzie in a circular nine claiming race.
Although it took several months for the trainer to saddle a winner, he is hoping to re-establish himself as a top 10 trainer in another year or so.
Encouraging signs
"Since notching that win the signs have been encouraging. I have been approached by some people and if I get the horses, I know I have the experience to achieve my objective.
"Getting a good horse is one thing, but more important is good owners. If you have good horses and unscrupulous owners, there will always be friction because eventually the owner will want to assume the role of the trainer and it can't work like that," said the former Kingston Technical student.
"Training is hard work, a lot of dedication and patience," he adds. "You have to love horses to make it in this game... nothing beats the thrill of turning around a problem horse to win races. It's worth the blood, sweat and tears."
Although losing PADDY'S STORM, who was claimed for $200,000 immediately after winning the race, Phillipps has a small string of five at present, comprising an unraced two-year-old, ROYAL SEA, as well as SANDILE, along with the lightly raced three-year-olds JACKARANDA and GALLAVANTER, who showed promise on his debut last Saturday when finishing fourth to SIR KaNJABiHARI in maiden company.
'Richie' left racing in 1994 to go into the private security business. He relocated to MoBay an he has not regretted the move, deep down Phillipps knew he would return to the sport he loves so much.
Voted the Most Improved Trainer in 1988, Phillipps has fond memories of the glory days. He won the Governor's Cup with RESTLESS QUE in 1990 and took AIM TO PLEASE to the Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico in 1989.
Notable successes
He also had notable successes with FEEL IT and OPAL TINA, both 99-1 winners for him, as well as BRENDA'S STAR, RAD RACER, STRIKE GOLD, MANCINI, who won nine races, BAILOR, STITCHIE, RAMBLER, LADY DIANA. ROUND TRIP and not least, STATOR who lost the 1984 Derby in a driving finish to the legendary filly THORNBIRD.
Ridden by Ian Spence, STATOR not only pitched at the top of the straight, but jumped a type mark in the track when taking dead aim at THORNBIRD a furlong out and lost by only a neck.
"I have replayed that race in my mind a thousand times and with a little luck, the result would have been different. But such is racing," said Phillipps, whose late cousin Howard Phillipps and another cousin, Donovan, preceded him in the training ranks.
Phillipps excelled at football while in school, eventually making the All-Manning team and the Jamaica Juveniles. Today he is an ardent fan of premier league leaders, Harbour View.
