Legendary horse racing voice, administrator Chris Armond has died

Chris Armond, the legendary commentator and administrator, who for more than four decades, made significant impact to horse racing in the Caribbean has died after a brief illness.

From 1975-1985, Armond’s impact came in the form of commentary.

Even today, his commentary of the 1984 Jamaica Derby when Thornbird, under the stick of Emilio Rodriguez, surprised a field made for a mile and a half, is still talked about.

The gently increasing pace of his delivery was spot on, not to mention his devotion to explaining the position of every horse along the way, while still coming back to the pulsating climax of four horses, Thornbird, Falcon Quest, Time Limit, and My Apology making all the running.

For his work as a commentator, because he was also integral as a horse racing administrator, Armond received the Press Association of Jamaica’s Golden Microphone Award in 1984.

Armond retired as Director of Racing at Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Ltd, back in 2020.

“While I commentated I liked it, travelling around the Caribbean and working at the various racing offices in Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados,” he had said upon retirement.

Armond was also inducted into the Jamaica Racing Commission’s Hall of Fame in 2017 and in 1993 was the recipient of the Caymanas Track Limited’s Chairman’s Award.

Armond was 67.

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