Harold Chadee reached the finish line of his life on January 29 after suffering a stroke on January 27, however, on Thursday he was in the winner's enclosure for the final time at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.
On entering the Centralised facility yesterday, you would have believed that it was a race day as many friends, turfites and well-wishers came out in their hundreds to pay their final respect to the stalwart of racing.
Yes, the racing fraternity came out in their numbers to say goodbye to a man who has given so much to racing as an owner, trainer and breeder.
At 11.30 am with many of the top racing personalities in the business present headed by Arima Race Club (ARC) president Robert Bernard, Hall of Fame trainer Joe Hadeed, T&T's Racing Authority (TTRA) chairman Dr David Kangaloo, ARC vice president John O'Brien, former champion trainer Glenn Mendez, a very good friend from childhood Ashton Forde, former Arima Mayor Elvin Edwards and Glen Mohammed, the president of the Racehorse Trainer's Association(RTA) were just some of the persons on hand to pay their respect.
Everyone, who was at the facility, knew that horse racing was Chadee's passion. With a few minutes past the scheduled time, Joe Hadeed lightened the morning by stating: "Harold has never been late in his life. He was the first man in the paddock every morning," this prompted some smiles amidst the somber mood.
When the Limousine carrying the body of Chadee came into sight at the entrance of the centralised facility trainer Terrance Thomas, who is also a pastor sprung into action and opened the proceedings with a prayer.
That was just the beginning as the 'Call To Post" was heard. The 'Post-Time' bugle was blown at 11.37 am simultaneously, to signal the start of proceedings and suddenly the two horses in the final race on "Harold Chadee Day at the Races", were seen coming out of the parade ring to lead the procession to the winner's enclosure.
It was a day no one who was there would forget as Regal Intension, his first Guineas winner with Kerron Khelawan aboard, was seen coming out of the parade ring with another stablemate Mafia Man with Roger Ragoonath aboard.
The horses preceded the limousine of Alleyne's Funeral Home, suddenly the sound of Country music filled the air and as the horses arrived at the winners' enclosure everyone heard the hit of Kenny Rogers - 'The Gambler'.
After the final visit to the winner's enclosure and the procession began to move to the front of the Grand Stand, another Kenny Rogers hit song was heard and this time it was 'Country Road'. Clearly, God was leading Harold Chadee home to a place where he belonged.
As the procession filed out, you could see other stakeholders such as Roger Hadeed, Balkrishen Sagan Maharaj, Stephan Narinesingh, Tansley Thompson, David Ojar, Hugh Lee King, Lance Warner, Christopher Prime, Davy Rajah and Chaffique Khan, to name only a few.
In death, Chadee still brought out the crowd to Santa Rosa Park at Arima.
He leaves to mourn his wife Judith, son Dave and daughters Avie, Divina and Delana.
