At the Banks DIH boardroom yesterday, the beverage company renewed its long serving partnership with the Annual Guyana Cup Horse Race event, now in its 12th year, through its Banks Beer brand.
The Guyana Cup 2018 which is organised by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee in collaboration with the Rising Sun Turf Club will be held at the Port Mourant, Berbice Race Track on August 19th with over $15 million in cash and prizes at stake.
Banks DIH Communications Manager, Troy Peters stated, “Banks DIH hopped on board when the event was in its developmental stages and we are quite pleased to see how big it has grown. I’ve been to a few meets before and it is quite a spectacle. We will be sponsoring through our Banks Beer brand and we are encouraging patrons to drink responsibly while enjoying the races to the fullest.”
Also present at the launch were Director of the National Sport Commission, Chris Jones, Mitra Ramkumar, Head of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), and organisers Nazrudeen Mohamed Jr., Compton Sancho and Roy Jafarally.
Jones commended the organisers for staying true to their passion and thanked Banks DIH and all the sponsors who have supported the event, while calling on Guyanese to come out in their numbers to support the event.
Ramkumar noted that events such as the Guyana Cup, which attracts jockeys and owners from across the Caribbean, are very easy to support because of the opportunities they create for tourism. THAG’s Head highlighted that last year’s event drew over 12 000 spectators while creating over 200 jobs.
Head of the organising committee, Nazrudeen Mohamed Jr., posited that, “Banks have been helping us grow this tournament not only through the improved standards prize money but through regulation and organising standpoints and we are grateful.” He further stated that in addition to the familiar commentary personality of Compton Sancho, the Guyana Cup 2018 will be graced with the presence of a Belmont Stakes experienced commentator at the Rising Sun Turf Club come next week Sunday.
The programme of races for the day has been released, and as is customary, the C Class event is the main attraction.
The programme is as follows:
1) C class and lower, 1600M – purse: $3,875,000
2) 3yr old Derby 1100M – purse: $2,000,000.
3) G1 and lower 1400M – purse: $1,550,000.
4) H3 and lower 1100M – purse $1,350,000.
5) 2yr old Guyana Bred 1100M – purse: $680,000.
6) I class and lower 1400M – purse: $581,000.
7) J3 and lower 1400M – purse: $485,000.
8) L class 1400M – purse $390,000.
9) L class 1400M – purse $390,000.
10) L class 1100M – purse $290,000.
