KINGSTON, Jamaica - PRODUCER and singer Robert Ffrench is consolidating his interest in horse racing by beginning his local career as a conditioner of thoroughbred horses.
Ffrench, who was responsible for producing the hit single Modern Girl, starts his first horses — He Can Dance in the sixth and Empress Nakelia in the seventh — tomorrow (June 25) at Caymanas Park. While He Can Dance is a veteran of the track, Empress Nakelia by Deputy Glitters out of Aguila races for the first occasion in a three-year-old maiden contest going five furlongs round. He Can Dance has Andre Powell in the saddle and Empress Nakelia, Odeen Edwards.
The singer-producer has had a long and established association with the sport of horse racing first as an owner.
“My love for horse racing started when I was with promoter Joe Gibbs and I was introduced to an owner at the time, that was in the 1990s. We became good friends and from then I started to go to the track. The more I visited the track, the more my interest in horse racing was piqued. I was truly bitten by the racing ‘bug’.
“Soon after, I decided to make a formal entry into horse racing as an owner. Over the years I have had many successes owning horses, with Modern Girl, named after my hit song, and Bulletin coming readily to mind. I am still an owner and now I am making the step in another direction, that of becoming a trainer,” Ffrench shared.
Ffrench gained his trainers’ licence in the United States at the famed Gulfstream Park in Florida.
“It was at Gulfstream Park that I did my trainers’ course, graduated, and then ran my horses. At Gulfstream I won one race and then decided to return home to ply my trade as a conditioner at Caymanas Park — after I registered with the regulatory body, the Jamaica Racing Commission.
“So, yes, I bided my time, and the moment is close at hand when I will saddle my first horses on my home track of Caymanas Park. It has been a long but satisfying road of development for me,” Ffrench said.
At present Ffrench shares a barn with veteran trainer Arnold Rambally Jr and has three horses under his care.
“I have three horses who I am currently training and I am particularly excited about my three-year-olds. In addition to these three horses, I also have horses on the farm, and given time these horses will make their way to the stables and will race when ready,” Ffrench added.
As to his expectations of being a trainer at the highly competitive Caymanas Park, Ffrench was very clear about his mission.
“Simply put, I want to win as many races as is possible. In doing so what is paramount for me is keeping my horses as healthy as possible for them to perform at their best whenever they hit the track.
“I have been around long enough in racing to understand that my task is not an easy one. Racing has always been a demanding endeavour so I will work and work hard to ensure that my horses are well taken care of, and in doing so win as many races as they can,” Ffrench ended his interview with this publication.
