Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

MIRACLE MAN - file

MIRACLE MAN, widely regarded as the best native-bred horse to race at Caymanas Park by virtue of his memorable victory in Puerto Rico 14 months ago, has been retired to stud by his owner, Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany.

Trained by the veteran 'Hall of Famer' Allan 'Billy' Williams and bred by Ken Gooden, the big chestnut horse, who won back-to-back 'Horse of the Year' awards in 2005 and 2006, is standing at the Bombay Stud Farms, operated by many-time champion breeder, Henry Jaghai.

A decision was taken by connections to send MIRACLE MAN to stud after he failed his bid to win the US$100,000 Confraternity Classic for a second consecutive year in Puerto Rico, last December.

As a five-year-old last year, MIRACLE MAN was sparingly raced owing to a leg operation early in the year. As a result, he made his 2007 debut as late as August, losing to old rival DISTINCTLY IRISH in the mile-and-quarter Prime Minister's Stakes on Independence Day.

He returned, five weeks later in open allowance company to beat the subsequent Superstakes winner MAJOR MAYER in a driving finish over 1600 metres, then went down fighting to MAJOR MAYER in the November 10 Megafone Superstakes.

Although obvious to racing fans and connections alike that he was not the horse he was in 2006 when unbeaten in nine trophy races locally, MIRACLE MAN was selected by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) to represent Jamaica in the Confraternity Classic last December, but could only manage fourth, earning US$5,000. After that, it was decided to send him to stud.

Racing career

"Because of his leg problem, we felt the time was right to end his racing career," Duany pointed out. "This is the greatest horse in the history of Caymanas Park. In four seasons of racing, he has done what no other local-bred horse has managed to do - win a race contested by horses from the Caribbean and Central American region.

"He has given me immense pleasure, especially on the occasions when he won the 2005 Derby and Superstakes and the Superstakes again in 2006, and more important, when he won the Confraterity Classic in Puerto Rico in 2006. I will always treasure that moment.

"He never lost a race in 10 starts that year and I challenge any man to name a horse who has achieved that feat in a single season ... He was simply one in a million."

Duany said hopes are high that MIRACLE MAN will be successful at stud.

"Since transferred to the farm three weeks ago, at least 15 mares have been selected for him and he should have the time of his life there," he added. His stud fee is $35,000 per mere. In recognition of a truly great career, MIRACLE MAN's last set of racing plates were mounted on a plaque and this presented to trainer Allan 'Billy' Williams by CTL's executive manager for marketing, Millicent Lynch, at the 19th annual None Such/Horse of the Year dinner at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, last Thursday night.

Williams, in turn, immediately presented the plates to JRC chairman, Rudolph Muir, to be displayed in the 'Hall of Fame' of Thoroughbred Racing, situated in a special section of the Commission at Winchester Road.

From 24 starts locally, MIRACLE MAN won 16 races, was second five times, third twice and fourth once, amassing total stakes of $16,360,850. He was never out of the money. The Law of the Sea-Hya offspring also earned substantial prize money for having won the Confraternity Classic.