WIPA extends its condolences to the family of Richard "Danny Germs" Austin

Sunday, February 08, 2015 | 4:38 AM    

Kingston, JAMAICA – The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) is expressing its condolences to the family of former WI player Richard Austin who died recently.

The statement said:

It is with deep regret that, we say goodbye, to Richard ‘Danny Germs’ Austin who passed Thursday, February 6, 2015. Austin started his cricket career for his local club, Kensington Cricket Club, then went on to play for Jamaica and the West Indies.

Richard Austin played two test matches and his lone ODI came on February 22, 1989 at the Antigua recreation ground. Austin played 38 first class matches for Jamaica, at an average of 33.82. He also took 73 wickets with a best of 8 for 71.

Austin will be remembered for his contributions to West Indies Cricket as a talented all-rounder – a batsman who could bowl either medium pace or offspin for whichever version he played.

The West Indies Players Association is saddened by the pasting of Richard Austin and we extend our condolences to his family, friends and the cricket community.

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WIPA extends its condolences to the family of Richard "Danny Germs" Austin

ONLINE READERS" COMMENT - Richard "Danny Germs" Austin, a man who was never forgiven

Sunday, February 08, 2015 | 4:46 AM    

The following is a comment from the Jamaica Observer website after news broke on Saturday of the death of former West Indies and Jamaica cricketer Richard Austin.

‘Danny Germs’ was not been a non-entity to many who remember him as a Jamaican player.

I am so ashamed at how the Rebel players were ostracized by our society and left to fall into destitution, poverty and drugs. It is a myth that we Jamaicans are a loving people. When we turn against someone it’s usually to the extreme and we carry that grudge for life. We turned our backs on Lawrence Rowe, Herbert Chang and ‘Danny Germs’. Rowe was able to escape to the US, no such luck for Danny and Herbert.

Yes, Danny and others took “blood money” to go play cricket but Colin Croft, Ezra Mosley, Franklyn Stephenson and Lawrence Rowe have all gone on to do well, I guess that is because none of them were in Jamaica.

I am in the Cross Roads area quite a few days per week while working and would buck up on Danny Germs begging, he was always respectful and most times I would buy him something to eat, patty, a bun, a drink.

Here was a fellow man who made a major mistake in life and it hounded him, with help from us, to an early grave. There was no second chance for him, no redemption, he was not strong enough to beat his drug habit and move on and we as a society just looked on and scorned him.

We need to really look at ourselves and see how we treat people. ‘Danny Germs’ wasn’t a thief or a murderer but we treated as if he had killed many without regret. We treated him worse than a mongrel dog begging in the street.

I am happy to have listened to ‘Danny Germs’ rambling about West Indies cricket, “these boys have no passion” he muttered once, and he was correct. He came along when there was no way to get into a team made up of Greenidge, Haynes, Richards, Homes, Logie and Lloyd, today we would have easily walked into this lacklustre bunch.

Walk good ‘Danny Germs’. I know you up there batting with Sir Frank, Learie, Mass George and company.

DaleG

dalegonsalves@yahoo.com

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ONLINE READERS" COMMENT - Richard "Danny Germs" Austin, a man who was never forgiven

What They Say! - Richard Lunan

When did you start your career as a jockey?

I started my career as a jockey at Caymanas Park in 1999. I was first introduced to the sport by my father Melbourne Lunan who is a racehorse groom, but I always had a love for the sport of horse racing. With encouragement, support and interest, becoming a jockey was never in doubt.

Which horse was your first winner?

Princess Irene going over 1,300 metres was my first winner. It was a very exciting feeling to win my first here in Jamaica. I was riding in Barbados where I rode almost 100 winners, but to ride my first winner at home, I felt like I was walking in mid-air, just a wonderful feeling.

Which horse was your longest odds winner?

My longest odds winner was Classic Kelly, trained by Phillip Elliot. Classic Kelly won at 15-1 going over a distance of 1,400 metres. I was very delighted with the win. I was here before and tried the Racing School, but was never given the opportunity to enter. So after three failed attempts, I decided to go to somewhere else and try, because I love racing so much I did not want the desire to die right there. So I went to Barbados to ride, knowing that Jamaica is where I always wanted to ride as a jockey I came back to ride and no matter what or how long the odds are, I just want to win races.

Which is the best horse that you have ridden?

I will have to say Mr Butcher. He is my favourite horse to ride as whenever I am on him, it is like he just does not know how to run a bad race. He is a fighter that doesn’t know how to give up. Despite that the fact he is a claiming horse, he won his races very well. I won nine races on him, the most I have ever won on a single horse. He is special to me.

Which is the best horse that you have seen race at Caymanas Park?

I have seen a lot of talented horses race at Caymanas Park. There were War Zone, who won the triple crown, The Viceroy, which I thought was an exceptional horse, Khadulah was another good one, Eros, who dominated the sprints, Legal Light and Doval to name a few. All of those horses have done great things in their era as their records can show. I cannot pick any one, as all stood out for me. There have been some great champions here.

Who influenced your career the most?

My uncle (Ephraim Hunter) and my father have really been there for me. Their support, encouragement and guidance have got me this far. I would also like to thank all trainers, jockeys, fans, owners, grooms and everyone for their assistance as well.

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What They Say! - Richard Lunan

Richard Mitchell riding at golden gate

Jockey Richard Mitchell, who departed the island last month is currently riding at the Golden Gates racetrack in California, USA. Mitchell was able to secure one ride on the 10-race programme on Saturday last aboard the Quentin Miller owned and trained Super Cabras in the sixth race, a US$3,200 claiming event going over five furlongs. Sent off at odds of 15-1, Mitchell and Super Cabras finished second in a field of nine runners. Mitchell, however, failed to secure any rides on Sunday’s programme.

‘Byah’ as Mitchell is well known is expected to return to Caymanas Park early next year. He rode his last winner in Jamaica on October 25 when he piloted the Andrew McDonald-trained Aldebaran to victory.

FOUR HORSES CLAIMED ON SATURDAY

Four horses were claimed on the nine-race card at Caymanas Park last Saturday. Go To Hell was claimed from Ray Phillips by Marlon Anderson for Diamonds for $250,000; Collin Ferguson took Saint Mary from Ryan Darby for $250,000 for Michael Kennedy; Yes She Will was taken from Raymond Townsend by Patrick Taylor acting as both trainer and owner for $250,000 and the Neive Graham-trained Sista Margaret was claimed by Lawrence Freemantle for Carlton Watson for $250,000 from the ninth and final race.

AGAIN, THAT CHANGE OF EQUIPMENT

The Robert Darby trained Madiba continued the trend of trainers making a change of equipment that has led to success. After his dismal run on last, finishing all of 16 lengths in ninth position, Madiba returned on Saturday without the cheek pieces and the re-introduction of the blinkers and this time delivered the goods. Madiba was an easy two-and-a-half lengths winner going over 800 metres in the second Exercise Riders’ Race, with Linton Steadman in the saddle. The winning time was 0:47:1 seconds on a fast track.

AUNT HILDA, KING NEBARUE FINALLY RELEASE THE MAIDEN TAG

Aunt Hilda and King Nebarue finally released their maiden tags on Saturday. After finishing a disappointing fifth by 15 3/4 lengths as the 9-5 second favourite on her last outing, trainer Robert Alveranga found the problem and Aunt Hilda, with Shane Ellis in the saddle, was a runaway winner by six-and-a-half lengths. King Nebarue, after 11 tries finally found the winning post in front but had to survive a lengthy steward’s inquiry. Ridden by Robert Halledeen and trained by Linton Calder, King Nebarue, who was sent off as a 5-1 betting chance, sprinted away from his 11 rivals to win by two lengths from Who’s Orchid (Orayne Sewell) and Starofthetown (Shane Ellis).

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Richard Mitchell riding at golden gate

24-y-o Canadian Richard Falle reported missing

Latest News

Saturday, June 29, 2013 | 3:40 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Twenty-four-year-old Richard Falle of Martha Eaton Way, Toronto, Canada has been reported missing. The Constant Spring Police say that Falle was last seen at about 4:30 am Saturday at Hillary Avenue, Kingston10. He was wearing a light blue shirt, dark blue jeans and a pair of black shoes. Falle is of Caucasian decent, slim build and about 5-feet-8-inches tall.Anyone knowing Falle’s whereabouts is being asked to contact the Constant Spring Police at 924-1421, Police 119 emergency number or the nearest police station.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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24-y-o Canadian Richard Falle reported missing

24-y-o Canadian Richard Falle reported missing

News

Saturday, June 29, 2013 | 3:40 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Twenty-four-year-old Richard Falle of Martha Eaton Way, Toronto, Canada has been reported missing. The Constant Spring Police say that Falle was last seen at about 4:30 am Saturday at Hillary Avenue, Kingston10. He was wearing a light blue shirt, dark blue jeans and a pair of black shoes. Falle is of Caucasian decent, slim build and about 5-feet-8-inches tall.Anyone knowing Falle’s whereabouts is being asked to contact the Constant Spring Police at 924-1421, Police 119 emergency number or the nearest police station.

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24-y-o Canadian Richard Falle reported missing