Trainer Errol Subratie dead at 75

Racing lost one of its veteran trainers with the passing of Errol Subratie on Thursday, June 25, at the University Hospital of the West Indies after a long illness. He was 75.

Subratie, father of top-line trainer Gary Subratie, stared training in the mid-'70s but was forced to curtail his training activities some years ago when he suffered a stroke, the first of several. 'Subby', as he was popularly called, was confined to a wheelchair initially, and although his condition improved a bit, he found it uncomfortable to prepare horses and handed in his trainer's licence three years ago.

During his heyday, 'Sub' was one of the most popular trainers inside and outside of racing due to his outgoing ways, which endeared him to many.

He saddled more than 70 winners in his long career, including DR JOHN and PRINCE OBERON on a particular raceday at Caymanas Park in the early '80s, both horses ridden by his teenage son and claiming apprentice Gary Subratie.

Other notable winners saddled by Subratie include SIR MOHAN GOPAL, KISMET, WARMONGER, SABRINA, SILENT PARTNER, TOUCH AND RUN, SAMMY MY GIRL and HOCUS POCUS.

The funeral for the late Errol Subratie will take place on Monday, July 6, at Dovecot Memorial Park, starting at 9:30 a.m. A native of Spanish Town, Subratie is survived by wife Gloria and six children.

- O. C.