The crème de le crème of the nation’s thoroughbreds along with foreign horses will vie for over $12m in cash and other prizes when one of Guyana’s premier horse racing events, the Digicel Horse Race Classic is staged today at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club.
Top local jockeys along with jockeys from Canada, Trinidad, Jamaica and the USA will transform the Turf Club into a speedway as they compete for one of the largest payouts in local horse race history.
According to President of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA), Cecil Kennard, eight races are carded for the Classic with the B and Lower Class race billed as the feature event for this year’s third annual edition.
Over $4.6M is at stake for the feature with the winner taking home $2.5M and the Digicel Horse Race Classic trophy. The second place finisher will pocket $1.25M, 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 finishers will take home $325,000 and $162,000 respectively.
Other races carded for today are the D3 and Lower (1st $900,000, 2nd $450,000, 3rd $225,000, 4th $112,500), Two-year-old for horses Bred and Born in Guyana (1st $700,000, 2nd $350,000, 3rd $175,000, 4th $87,500), G1 and Lower (1st $600,000, 2nd $300,000, 3rd $150,000, 4th $75,000), I1 and Lower (1st $325,000, 2nd $162,500, 3rd $81,250, 4th $40,625), J1 and Lower (1st $300,000, 2nd $150,000, 3rd $75,000, 4th $37,500), and J3 and K category (1st $200,000, 2nd $100,000, 3rd $50,000, 4th $25,000).
Kennard also told these publications yesterday that in excess of 80 horses have been registered for this year’s Classic.
Elle’s Vision, Zee Bomb, Swing Easy, Marathon Man, Score’s Even, Donut Prince, C.P Got Even, Grande Roja, The Message, Got to Go, Funny Factor and Ms. Karina are the 12 thoroughbreds that will contest the feature race.
Some of the other horses entered in the Classic are Home Bush Baby, Who’s on the case, Appealing Harvest, Top Of The Line, Captain Crook, Sabrina Joy, Big Impact, Serenity, Pride & Joy, Rosetta, I want Revenge, Princess Alisha, It’s My Turn, Jipsy Jet, Another Jet, Prospector’s Pride, Blame the Jockey, She’s So Special, Wicked Intention, De Gumo, Quincy, Dream Girl, Silent Night, Easy to Win, Lucky Gold, Dream Boy, Hard Runnings, Maracas Star, RJ Express, Super Bowl, Stormy Lass
Maya, D’Girls dem Sugar ,The Bailiff, Ameera’s Joy, Gold Rush, Jipsey Rose, Windy War, Feel like Gold and Perfect Circle
The event runs off at 12:30hrs and admission fee is $1,200. Children will be admitted for half that amount. All tickets will be sold at the gate.
Car passes and programmes will be sold for $300 each. There will be a well stocked bar with food and beverages and many giveaways by the telecommunications company.
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.
