Griffiths eyes major milestone

Leading all-time jockey Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths is expected to attain another milestone at Caymanas Park today by notching his 1,600th career win aboard hot favourite SAINT CECELIA in the 22nd running of the CTL Caribbean Sprint.

It would be fitting to see Griffiths attaining the milestone in this particular race, as 17 years ago to the day - November 13, 1993 - he notched his 1,000th career win aboard then favourite EROS in the same race.

Back then, he had the distinction of becoming the first racing personality to attain the magical figure of 1,000 wins. Since then, fellow jockeys Charles Hussey, Emilio Rodriquez, Andrew Ramgeet and Trevor Simpson have followed suit; as well as trainers Allan 'Billy' Williams, Kenneth Mattis, Philip Feanny and Wayne DaCosta.

'Fanna' has a second mount on today's card in the classy American filly, HONEYOFALADY, for trainer Dwight Chen in the CTL Imported Mile (third race). But set to carry topweight of 60.5kg, she will have to produce a career-best effort in order to upstage the hot ante-post favourite RONRON, with Shane Ellis aboard.

Griffiths, who started riding in 1975, is a five-time champion jockey, having won titles from 1978 to 1981 and again in 1995. He is, in fact, the leading all-time jockey in the English-speaking Caribbean.

For his contribution to local racing, Griffifths, who has ridden a record 45 classic winners, was inducted into the 'Hall of Fame' of Thoroughbred Racing some years ago, and is the recipient of the coveted None Such award for lifetime achievement.

- O.C.