Stat produced a commanding gate-to-pole run today to win the CARICOM Gold Cup at Bush Lot United, West Coast Berbice, defeating Mapa Do Brasil, Olympic Kremlin and Dataman in the 1700-metre feature.
Ridden by jockey Colin Ross, the Master Z Racing Stables horse stopped the clock at one minute, 44 seconds. Mapa Do Brasil finished second, Olympic Kremlin was third, while Dataman, one of the day’s main attractions, placed fourth.
Stat broke sharply from the gate and held the lead throughout the contest, never surrendering the pole position on the way to a major win.
Despite morning showers across Berbice, the race programme started on time and the track remained in good condition.
Promising jockey Arvin Dhanraj opened the day with a strong win aboard Citation in the K & L Maiden, clocking one minute, 13 seconds. Damage Control finished second, Miss Simran was third and Top Ranking placed fourth.
Country Rock then took the L Winners race by six lengths, ahead of Perfect Trip, Doctor J and Sakar. In the Juvenile Fillies race, Brilliant Bride claimed victory, with High Beam second, Boss Lady third and Chelsea Lion fourth.
Scars of Glory won the Colts and Geldings Juvenile Futurity Stakes, finishing ahead of Sweet Man Rock, Ocean Star and Money Bird. In the G & H Class non-winners and I Class event, Daring Move broke her maiden to take the top spot, with Supreme Leader second, Bourbon Blitz third and American Emperor fourth.
She WBO On Time won the three-year-old and over West Indian-bred race, ahead of Head of the Class and Sex Appeal. The race also had a minor incident when Mulan unseated the jockey on the far turn.
In the three-year-old and over J & K Class race, Republican edged Binladen and Three D Movie in a close contest. The race also saw Ross being unseated from Top Gun.
Royal Rocks created an upset in the Imported Stakes race, beating Pharaoh Empress, Adios Baby and favourite Moonlight Dancer.
One of the day’s closest finishes came in the CARICOM Derby for three-year-old Guyana-bred horses, where Miracle Boy came from the outside to beat Summer Time in a photo finish. Monica Time finished third and Country Gold was fourth.
Ross returned to the winners’ enclosure in the CARICOM Sprint Stakes Open for four-year-old and over horses, guiding Anthem King to a come-from-behind win over Regal Man. Anthem King completed the sprint in one minute, four seconds.
Former champion horse Spankhurst, now owned by JS Racing Stables, also made a winning return in the E Class and Lower race. Ritorna Vincentori finished second, Novo Sol third and Barbra fourth.
The penultimate race of the day also went to JS Racing Stables, giving the stable its third win on the card.
The 2025 Guyana Horse Racing Awards were also presented during the CARICOM Cup race day. Dataman was named Horse of the Year, Yovin Kissoonchand was named Jockey of the Year with 11 wins, while JS Racing Stables was named Champion Owner. Ronaldo Lima was named Trainer of the Year.
Other awardees included Summer Time as Champion Two-year-old Guyana-bred, Quinten Kellman as the Kishawn Pereira Future Star Award winner, Spank Me as Champion Three-year-old Guyana-bred and Sydney as Champion Three-year-old West Indian-bred.
The next race day is scheduled for August 2 at Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club with the Emancipation Cup. That will be followed by the Guyana Cup on August 23 at Rising Sun Turf Club.
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