THIS?YEAR is turning out to be a sensational one in the career of trainer Richard Deane as he wrestles with the two most dominant people in the last five years for the trainer’s title.
He is presently sandwiched between former champions Andrew Nunes and Anderson Ward with defending champ Victor Cheeseman now closing in on the leaders heading into the final day of the first racing season on April 28.
Whether he wins the season title where he is only $2 012 behind the leader Nunes, who has earnings of $147 002, he is reaping the rewards for his persistency and hard work.
Maybe it’s not the sport itself but more his undying love and admiration for horses in general that he thrives on.
From the tender age of eight, Deane has been working around all kinds of equines and one can safely say he lives for horses.
When he is not riding (playing polo) or overseeing youngsters in their quest to gain an exercise or rider’s permit at the Garrison Savannah, he is constantly on call doing furrier work which he started back in 1979 and preparing horses both for polo and horse racing.
He has been involved for many years, racing with limited success as he had maybe a handful of horses in any give season of which most had issues of one kind or another, yet he would eke out the odd win at more than generous odds.
Still juggling the responsibilities and care for his charges, his workload increased drastically in the last two years, having gained the confidence of Aysha Syndicate, who entrusted all their horses into his care. Iamsogroovy and Discreet Cat being the exception.
This move has enabled Deane to lead all trainers in wins having secured one last Saturday with The A Team-owned Stroke Of Luck moving his tally to 13. On any given morning he is the last trainer seen vacating the track, the office and the paddocks, as he has to first ensure that all his bases are covered including his farrier services.
Collectively, he has the most horses in trainng having started 37 horses more than his nearest rival in that category, Anderson Ward with 67. This year alone, Deane has consistently entered a dozen or more horses on every race card. A clear indication of this came on Gold Cup Day when in the 11th race alone of the 22 that were entered, 12 were Deane’s charges.
As the Classics beckon, Deane will struggle on earnings to win the overall championship come yearend. Both his stables, Aysha Syndicate and the A Team lack representation as they have no horses up to this grade that can compete.
Another glaring negative is the lack of top-rated horses but in the imported Just A Fashion, who has won five of six races impressively it is hoped that he can rise to the top.