KINGSTON, Jamaica – Listed as the first race on the Overnight program of Sunday, June 4, 2023, is horse number eight, Three Card Guy.
Three Card Guy is conditioned by the lone female trainer from the batch of 39, who graduated on May 12, 2023. That female trainer is Lydia Anglin, who has chosen Samantha Fletcher to partner her first starter. Fletcher is returning to the saddle after a suspension of 20 race days.
Anglin in an interview with Quickgallop.com could not hide her joy and enthusiasm in saddling her first starter.
“Right now, I am so happy and proud that I have reached the point in my life when I can saddle my first runner. For me, it is an honour to follow in the footsteps of previous female trainers like Margaret Parchment, Emma Chen, Eileen Cliggott, and more recently, Kibbeisha Little, and Keisha Lawrence,” Anglin told this website.
Anglin has had a long association, over 20 years, with horse racing, coming to watch races, then she cemented her love for the sport by buying her first horse, Rude Boy, trained by her uncle and popular conditioner Joseph Thomas.
“Yes, I have been a regular at the track for years, and because of my love for racing, I got further into the system by becoming an owner, and now I am a trainer, and for that, there is a lot of pride within,” Anglin stated.
At present, Anglin shared that she has five horses under her care, one two-year-old, one three-year-old, two four-year-olds, and Three Card Guy.
“I picked up quite a bit on how to train horses, how to keep and care horses, from my time at the Trainers’ School, and from my apprentice master, Donovan Plummer, who has been of invaluable help to me in reaching where I am today.
“It has been a long journey, but now I am here, a trainer of horses, and I thank everyone, who has assisted,” Anglin said.
As to Samantha Fletcher riding her first starter, Anglin was clear on her choice.
“Samantha has ridden Three Card Guy many times. She knows the horse well and will get the best out of Three Card Guy.
“Plus, we are females, and I want to promote the women not only in horse racing but in Jamaica as well,” Anglin ended.
