KINGSTON, Jamaica - FAMILY and friends turned out in their numbers to pay their final respect for the life of “Mr Horse Racing” himself, Christopher Joseph Armond at the service of thanksgiving held at Sts Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, Old Hope Road, on Friday.
Armond, who died on May 11, 2022, was cremated, and put to rest at the church.
Brian “Spuddy” Rickman, current track announcer at Caymanas Park, described Armond as a legend in the racing industry.
“I have known Chris for over 40 years and we were very good, good friends, and he was also my teacher, and he was the one that gave me a break in life. People called him a racing legend and I agree with the term completely. I am going to miss him very, very much. It [his death] came as a shock because I thought he would have fought this [illness] off.. We all are going to miss him,” Rickman said.
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather Altamont and his father Joseph, Christopher Armond spent his entire working career in the horse racing industry in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. He started out as a commentator of races before moving into administration, and was known for his undying commitment to the sport and his innovativeness. Armond established a new level of excitement and accuracy in race commentary with his distinguished vocal delivery. He provided colourful commentary in his distinctive voice, bringing horse racing into homes across the island.
Armond retired from his job as director of racing at SVREL on December 27, 2020 and was honoured with a trophy, The Chris Armond Sprint, named after him. In 1984 the Press Association of Jamaica recognised him for his talent by awarding him the Golden Microphone Award. Armond was also inducted into the Hall of Fame of Thoroughbred Racing in June 2017.
Rickman said that Armond’s death has left the racing industry in mourning.
“Chris was a kind guy and he was fun-loving as well. He played football; he was all into sports — he was into everything. He loved horse racing very much. He loved his family; he was a very strong family guy. We are going to miss him plenty, plenty. Chris Armond can rightly be designated as the heart and soul of horse racing in Jamaica for so many years. Every muscle, every drop of blood in his body was dedicated to horse racing in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.
“He excelled in the areas of administration and promotions, and many of his innovations are still in play today and are still being used for the development of the industry he loved and gave so much to. Chris Armond was all racing,” Rickman said.
Armond’s son Jordan, in his tribute, said that his father was all for his work as he had a passion for horse racing.
“One thing about my father is that Jamaica really loved him for the work he had put in [to that] which was his passion — horse racing in the country. We will always remember his legacy for doing humble work, diligent work, and doing it for the right reasons,” Jordan said.
Wayne Armond, Chris’s older brother, in delivering the remembrance, which evoked laughter at times, said that Chris Aromd was a mentor to all and a strong family man as well.
“I am four years older than Chris. All the tributes and accolades that he has been getting in the newspapers and radio and thing, talk about him being a commentator and an administrator but I will talk about when we were young and growing up. I have seen him moulding himself into the position that he became in eventually. He used to race marbles as a little five-year-old youth — that’s how he loved racing. He used to commentate with the race book when he sat down on a ledge, and ride it like horse and beat his foot with [a] curtain rod stick. And from that age you know that’s where he is destined to be — and that’s in horse racing. You know, God bless him, I am sorry that he went before me but it is just life and we are here to keep up the memory and keep up his family and everything,” he said.
Retired top-notch jockey Emilio “Bimbo” Rodriquez remembered Chris Armond for his exciting commentary.
“Well, I remembered Chris as a good commentator as he made the races so excited. You know all Jamaicans glued to their radios listening to Chris Armond when he was commentating. Especially whenever I am involved in a photo finish with other riders, Chris always made it so exciting, getting everyone to the edge of their seats,” Rodriquez said.
