License plate belong to Lesmore Smith in honour of his horse Good Prospecting, reads ‘2XCHMP2’, and represents two times champ, two years in a row. In this April 2012 photo, Good Prospecting is seen winning the 2012 Governor's Cup in St. Thomas, USVI. Photo: VINO

Truck belonging to Lesmore Smith that takes Good Prospecting to his races. Photo: Javon Liburd/VINO

Truck belonging to Lesmore Smith that takes Good Prospecting to his races. Photo: Javon Liburd/VINO

Mr. Smith's license plates now read, ‘2XCHMP2’, which represents “two times champ, two years in a row”. The license plate was customised at the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) and is being used on the vehicle that takes around Good Prospecting.

In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online, Mr. Smith, who is also the President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners’ Association (VIHOA), said he chose to acknowledge his horse on his license plate because, “the truck that I take him where ever he needs to go, people will see and know that the champ is coming from seeing the licence plate. Licence plates are the first thing people see.”

According to Mr. Smith, his horse is the only horse from the Virgin Islands to ever win the Governor’s Cup two years in a row – in April 2011 and May 2012 at the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.

He added that his champion is on a mission for another victory and another record to set, which is to win this year’s Premier's Cup to be held at Ellis Thomas Downs Race Track, Tortola, on August 7, 2012, during the festival celebrations.

"By winning this, he will be the only horse from the BVI in the BVI to win two champion trophies in one year." He added, “I think he has the ability to do it, he is energized and myself and so many others still believe in him and know he can do it. We always stay humble and focus and he always comes out victorious.”

Mr. Smith told this news site that when someone sees the plates, it automatically shows that he is proud of his horse for successfully winning both major races back to back, even while he was considered to be the underdog of the events. “When people see the licence plate they will remember my horse and his winnings.”

“He was the underdog in all those races, he was considered to not be in the running at all for any top positions, but he came out victorious as I predicted, despite what others say. Even though people count you out, it doesn’t mean you are out, you just have to prove yourself.”

Along with the license plate in his honour, the horse was also recognised by the VI Horse Owners’ Association, along with East End Tap and Really Uptown, as the VI top horses.

Mr. Smith thanked his team and his daughter for their past and continued hard work with his horse, for making the steed a champion and making sure he always looks his best and gives his best performance in any of his races.