The 18th edition of the Guyana Cup is set to be the first to be run under the Guyana Horse Racing Authority Act, which was passed in April 2025. Although the Act was passed last year, the authority was only gazetted in April earlier this year, marking a major step in the formal regulation of horse racing in Guyana.
More than $65 million in cash and prizes will be up for grabs when the annual event is held on Sunday, August 23, at the Rising Sun Turf Club. Organisers have said this year’s Guyana Cup will be the most lucrative and organised staging of the event, with the sport now operating under legislation.
The event, organised by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee, is expected to attract several of the top horses and jockeys from across the region. The Guyana Cup was officially launched on Thursday evening at the AC Marriott Hotel at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, where it was announced that 14 races will be contested.
The feature event, the Banks Guyana Cup, will carry a total purse of $22.5 million over one mile. In addition, one lucky patron will win a brand-new Sinotruk pick-up on race day.
Speaking at the launch, CEO of Jumbo Jet Events, Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr., highlighted the continued growth of the Guyana Cup and confirmed that defending champion Dataman is set to return to defend his crown.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. also praised the development of the event over the years. He said the Guyana Cup continues to contribute to economic activity in Berbice and across Guyana.
Ramson also officially announced the members of the country’s first horse racing authority board. Dr. Steven Cheefoon will serve as chairman, while the members are Adrian Anamayah, Dr. Nardeo Bassoodeo, Amernath Kiritpal, Zahir Khan, Poonai Bhigroog and Councillor Mohamed Naeem Kamal.
The launch was also attended by President of the Barbados Turf Club, Kevin Burke; Sonya Forrester of main sponsor Banks DIH Limited; and Operations Manager of the Guyana Cup, Andre Rochford, who all delivered remarks.
The rivalry among local stables is also expected to add to the excitement, with Slingerz Racing Stables and J’s Racing Stables set to add more top horses to their rosters ahead of race day.
The full race programme includes the Banks Guyana Cup over one mile, with a total purse of $22,500,000; the Peter Lewis Guyana Cup Sprint over 5 ½ furlongs, worth $7,500,000; the Forrester’s Imported Derby over one mile, worth $7,500,000; and the Mohamed’s Excavating Sir Balaji Derby over one mile, worth $5,625,000.
Also on the card are the J’s Imported Juvenile Fillies Sprint over 5 ½ furlongs, with a purse of $3,750,000; the BM Soat Locally Bred Dash over 5 ½ furlongs, worth $2,812,500; the P. Jagdeo E-Class over one mile, worth $2,812,500; and the Jagmohan F-Class over one mile, worth $1,875,000.
The remaining races are the ARONCO H-Class over one mile, worth $1,875,000; the C.I. H3 N.W.3 over one mile, worth $1,875,000; the Avinash Local Maidens over one mile, worth $2,812,500; the Big G’s J-Class over one mile, worth $1,875,000; the Garen Pro K-Class over one mile, worth $1,875,000; and the Sawh L Class Sprint over one mile, worth $1,875,000.
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