CHRIS RIDES A CORKER
Like father,like son.
Chris Griffith's superb
ride on the Robert Sangster-owned Rambrino
in yesterday's 15th staging of the Cockspur Cup, revived memories of his
dad's performances in his heyday of the 1970's.
His father Geoffrey
Griffith, one of the best front running
jockeys in his time, was one of the happiest men among the more than 10,000 people on the
Garrison Savannah.
" I feel the way any dad should feel. Ecstatic. I am proud of my entire family. Chris
showed how good he really is. He is riding at a level above the other jockeys,"
remarked a delighted Geoffrey.
Good Examples
The Canada-based Chris comes from a
horseracing family and has had his father Geoffrey and his brother Ricky
as two good examples to follow.
Geoffrey, winner of the 1976 Derby on Miss Judes,
rode with success here and in Trinidad while Ricky emigrated to Canada
and became a household name around the Toronto race tracks riding winners at Woodbine,
Greenwood and Fort Erie.
The former Foundation student has maintained the tradition. Chris'
23 percent strike rate was the best in Canada during last year ( as of October )
and fifth highest in North America. One of his greatest achievements was scoring five
victories in one day.
Chris and Ricky are now the first brothers to have
tasted Cockspur Cup glory, as Ricky was triumphant in
the 1984 event on Tinker's Image.
Former jockey Sonia Perkins, was high in praise for the 25-year-old Chris.
" It was the most spectacular ride I have ever seen in the Cockspur Cup.
Chris really rode well," she said.
On hand to see Chris' efforts on the B1 rated 4-year-old gelding was his
wife Teal and one-year-old daughter Gabrielle. They are scheduled to return to Canada on Wednesday.
Geoffrey Griffith on Dancing Tara