Roger Perkins, the man largely credited with the founding of the Barbados Gold Cup horse race, has passed away.
He was 69.
Perkins came up with the idea when he was working at Hanschell Inniss and Co. Ltd and the first Cockspur Five Star Gold Cup was held on January 30, 1982.
He spent almost 40 years with Hanschell Inniss, including serving on the Board of Directors.
He leaves to mourn his wife Rozanne, a former Barbados hockey player; son Trevor and daughter Sarah Perkins, who was Barbados’ top female golfer for many years.
Thirty-four horses were nominated for the first Gold Cup, including 16 from Barbados. The winner would receive $30 000 and a Gold Cup minted in England. Today, it is the main race on the local horse racing calendar.
The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. today in the chapel of the Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens, Christ Church. (SAT)
