– Millions in prize monies to be won
THE Stage has been set for the 14th running of the biggest local horse racing event — the Guyana Cup 2022.
With the days swiftly counting down to the much anticipated event, the organisers — the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing committee — have promised a battle of the ages between some of the best local and imported horses.
Speaking at the launch on Sunday at the New Pegasus Hotel and Conference Centre, Head of the committee, Nasrudeen Mohamed Jnr. stated that the event has been months in planning.
He noted too that history was created when the body held its first post drawing for the horses, saying, “This event will mark the seamless transition to change the pace of horse racing in Guyana.”
He went on to say that the sport can grow from strength to strength if all the major stakeholders put their shoulders to the wheel.
Giving the feature address was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr. who touted the fact that the government is keen on getting the horse racing legislation sorted.
“We have started to engage with stakeholders in the move towards the modernization of the sport…that is something very important to regulate the sector, and that is not something for anyone to be worried about. What that will do? It takes us into the modern world as it relates to horse racing.”
Also present was Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh who spoke of the tourism value of the event, adding that the event can become the mecca for the Caribbean horse racing.
Banks DIH Limited, sponsors of the feature event, conveyed through Communication Manager Troy Peters, “We are very happy with the growth it has made and we continue to offer the assistance to see horse racing develop and match other events across the world.”
Another of the event’s major sponsors, VALs construction, through their representative, Irshad Mohamed said, “Very pleased to be a part of the 14th running of the Guyana Cup. We look forward to continuing to work with the Guyana cup committee for future events.”
The feature race, the Banks DIH Guyana Cup, over one mile (1600M) and which will go for a purse of USD$35,880 was one of the three races that the post was drawn in the following order (Draw 1-11): Calibouge Sound (Slingerz Racing Stable), Everesting (Master Z racing Stable), Alado (Master Z racing Stable), Memories (Shaun Mohamed), Jessica’s Pride (Night Eyes Racing Stable), Detroit Steel (Simply Royal Racing Stable), Queen Domina (Slingerz Racing Stable), Our Stuie (Jagdeo Racing Stable), Settling Star (Asif Kahdeer), Vera’s Finally (Jumbo Jet Racing Stable), Wild Texas Tom (Jagdeo Racing Stable).
The undercards were also drawn with the VALS construction Sprint Classic over 1100m for USD 10,765; Looking to Heaven (Jumbo Jet Racing Stable) in the first post ahead of Lady Bird (Ephramins’s Thoroughbred), Early Bird (R&R Syndicate), Signal Note (Rising Sun Stables), Nuclear Fire ( Jadgeo Racing Stable), Regal Intention (Jumbo Jet Racing Stable) and Converter (Slingerz Racing stable).
The Associated Construction Services Derby Stakes One Mile (1600M) for a purse of US$17,940 saw Like a Million (Jumbo Jet Racing Stables) in post one ahead of Irish Princess (N Dookie), Glamorous Star (A Rampersad), Amazing Grace (PHVH) racing Stable, Black Time (Shocking Racing Stable), Heartland (Bronson Cheefoon), Judge Not (Martin Pestano) and Color of Sacrifice (Shaun Mohamed).
Sunday’s race is set for noon at the Rising Sun Turf Club.