Stable blaze claims promising stud
One of the most consistent performers during this season’s harness racing at Vesey Street was among the two horses killed in yesterday’s blaze at Graceland Stables.Six-year-old stud, Return to Sender, was killed in the inferno at the Warwick stable that also claimed the life of mare Bye Bye Byrd.Another horse, Tuxedo’s Lady, was badly burned while stable owners Noel Jones and Brenda Cordoza were treated at hospital for smoke inhalation and burns.Less than a week ago Return to Sender got a leg out of the 1.07/3 1.09/3 time bar after going 1.07 flat with Zinho Cooper in the sulky.“Return to Sender is definitely going to be a miss. He had been going along really well this season and will definitely be a miss,” Driving Horse and Pony Club (DHPC) president Micheal Rodrigues said.The late stud was owned by Cordoza who shipped him into the Island from Indiana several years ago.“He was pretty much Brenda’s baby and she always had great hopes for him,” Rodrigues said. “Return to Sender was doing really well and had some very good wins this with a couple of different drivers.”Tuxedo’s Lady also competed at Vesey Street last week with former PHC footballer Kenny Mills at the helm.“Tuxedo’s Lady is seriously burned and so I don’t think she will be racing anymore this year,” Rodrigues said. “But horses heal pretty quickly and he will get the best care.”The other horse killed in yesterday’s blaze, Bye Bye Byrd, had yet to make an appearance at the racetrack this season at the time of her death.Yesterday’s blaze prompted DHPC to postpone last night’s slate of races at Vesey Street.Harness racing will resume February 4.In a massive show of sympathy and support, DHPC members have planned a work rally today to rebuild Graceland Stables.“The horse people are a close knit people and they usually come together and help out really well,” Rodrigues said. “The driving club is in full support of anything Graceland needs.“There’s a lot of people that are into the horses that are very influential and have machines and stuff like that and they are all gung ho to rebuild most of it (stable) so they will be up and running soon.“This has definitely put a damper on the atmosphere ... but everybody is pitching in really well.”