Trainer Wayne Binns could hardly contain his emotions after saddling his first winner on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
“Oh, my gosh, I don’t know what to say, I am just so happy right now,” he exclaimed after Goodness Graceous won the seventh race, a maiden condition event for four-year-olds and up over five furlongs straight.
Binns, a graduate of the 2023 trainers’ school, was immediately showered with liquid in the winners’ enclosure by his colleagues and friends who gathered to celebrate the milestone.
“That was a touching moment for me, and I thank all my colleagues and friends, who shared this victory with me. After I left the winners’ enclosure, I checked my phone, and a message came up …. ‘do not charge your phone’ … it seems I was splashed with so much liquid which affected my phone. No harm done, as saddling my first winner is something to cherish,” he told Quickgallopja.com.
Facing 10 rivals, jockey Jaheim Anderson had to work patiently with Goodness Graceous, a bay colt by Perfect Curlin out of Rachel’s Grace, after a sluggish break from barrier eight.
Money Mission (Raddesh Roman) and Brilliant Mind (Dane Dawkins) dictated the early fractions, but once they came out of the chute onto the main track, Anderson angled his mount closer to the inside rails. From there, Goodness Graceous accelerated, sweeping past rivals to win by 2 ½ lengths in 1:02.1, with splits of 23.4 x 48.3. Modern Monarch (Jemar Jackson) finished second, while Delightful One (Tevin Foster) claimed third. This was Goodness Graceous’ third career start.
Reflecting on the journey, Binns shared: “It has been a long road with Goodness Graceous. I was preparing him as a two-year-old in 2024 to race at three. Then in late 2024, he received an injury and had to be taken out of training for a year. Goodness Graceous returned to training in late December of 2025, and then made his first competitive start in early March, 2026. Now after just three runs, he is a winner.”
Binns was quick to acknowledge the support behind the success. “This victory would not have been possible without the assistance of Mr Michael Bernard, who is the owner and breeder of Goodness Graceous. Mr Bernard has given a lot of encouragement, for which I am grateful,” Binns said.
