The Jamaican racing and wider communities are mourning the loss of Vincent Edwards, a former horse trainer, politician, and cultural icon who passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the age of 90.
Born on May 22, 1934, Edwards left an indelible mark across multiple spheres of Jamaican life, which earned him widespread respect and admiration.
Edwards was a towering figure in horse racing, as he achieved great success in the 1980s as the trainer of A-class runners such as Mr. Nutcracker, Secret, and Dye Job. His contributions to the sport were immortalized with a road at Caymanas Park named in honour of Dye Job.
Beyond his accolades in the winner’s circle, Edwards dedicated his later years to advocating for his colleagues, as he also served as president of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers’ Association. In this role, he tirelessly represented trainers’ interests at the Jamaica Racing Commission, a service that solidified his legacy as a champion for the racing community.
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited’s (SVREL) chairman, Solomon Sharpe, hailed Edwards’ legacy in the sport.
“Vincent was a stalwart of the racing industry. He trained some very interesting horses in his storied career, but most importantly, his passion and commitment to improving the lives of those in the sport were unmatched. He always tried to bring fairness and equality to the system,” Sharpe said.
“So a lot of administrators that were in charge of the track before felt his hand, and some would speak in a negative light. But in all establishments, especially in sports, you need that one person who is going to keep the administration on its toes. He will be deeply missed,” he added.
The People’s National Party (PNP) also paid tribute to Edwards, who served as a Member of Parliament for the St. Mary Western constituency in the late 1970s. Edwards also worked closely with Dr. Peter Phillips as a campaign manager and held several key roles within the PNP over the years.
“His unwavering dedication to the betterment of Jamaica and his legacy of service to the people will never be forgotten,” the party said in a heartfelt post on social media platform X.
Outside of politics and racing, Edwards was a trailblazer in Jamaica’s music industry. Known as “King Edward the Giant,” he operated the renowned King Edwards Sound System and was a record producer who collaborated with iconic figures like Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd, Duke Reid, and Prince Buster. His contributions to the sound system and recording business in the early 1960s helped shape Jamaica’s vibrant music culture.
Edwards is survived by his beloved wife, Monica, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and partnership.