Are you a turfite? Are you a real F.A.N. of the Sport of Kings? If you answered yes to the questions then Christmas comes a bit early for you on Emancipation Day at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club at Bush Lot, Corentyne, Berbice.
Yesterday, the third annual Digicel Horse Race Classic was launched at the head office of the telecommunications giant and representatives of the company promised an even bigger and better event than last year’s meet beginning with the prize money.
Up from $2M last year, the winning horse of the feature B and Lower event at this year’s eight-race Classic will run away with $2.5M and the champion’s trophy.
The second place finisher will pocket $1,250,000 while the third and fourth places finishers will receive $625,000 and $313,000 respectively.
In the co-feature Three-year-old event for horses bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies, the winner is set to gallop away with $1.3M, while $650,000 will be awarded to the second place finisher. The third and fourth place winners will take home $325,000 and $162,000 respectively.
“We have a lot to offer on August 1” said Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events Manager, Gavin Hope “It is not just a day for you to come out and yes enjoy a day of horse racing but with Digicel whenever we have a signature activity it is always one to be remembered”.
Hope added that “we must have special handset offers, you can be assured we will have special handset offers and we urge all of Guyana to come out, I can assure turfites it will be an event to remember bring your family and enjoy a classic day of horse racing“.
Meanwhile, coordinator of the annual event, Compton Sancho said “we have a lot of entries so far; we have horses from the Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, Shariff Racing Stables, The Jagdeo Racing Stables, The Elcock Racing Stables, The Crawford Stables, and The Habibulla Stables and they are all anxiously awaiting the race meet”.
According to Sancho, notable steeds like Score’s Even, California Strike, Elle’s Vision, Grande Roja, The Message, Got To Go, Settle in Seattle as well as horses from Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Barbados and Jamaica will compete in the eight-race classic which commences at midday.
Also at yesterday’s launch, Public Relations Officer of Digicel, Shonnet Moore said that she is pleased with the response received and has seen the level of the event grow over the years and is looking forward to a “bigger, better” race meet on August 1.
Cecil Kennard, president of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) and the Kennard Turf Club stated that despite the recent inclement weather the venue is still conducive for racing and encouraged turfites to support the grand event.
Kennard also thanked Digicel for organizing and supporting the annual race meet and stated that he hopes the company will continue to do in the years ahead.
Conditions
1) The races will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority.
2) In the event that there are less than five horses entered for any event, the club reserves the right to cancel or reframe the said event or reduce the prize money after consulting with the horse owners.
3) Owners of horses must pay at least $5000 for each horse at the time of entry. If not paid, the horse’s name would not appear on the official programme and the horse will not be permitted to run.
4) Five horses to start before a third place prize is paid.
5) Seven horses to start before a fourth place prize is paid.
Horses can be entered by contacting Sancho (690-0569), Kennard (623-7609), Isabella Beaton (693-7812) or Dennis Deroop (609-9143).
Entries will close tomorrow. No late entries will be accepted.
