6th Annual Guyana Cup Horserace Meeting…Over $30M at stake as nation’s top horses throw down the gauntlet

Jul 14, 2012 Sports

Eleven exiting races among horses that are bred in North America and the Caribbean; over thirty million dollars in cash and other prizes at stake and a projected attendance of more than ten thousand screaming turfites are just the ingredients needed for a day packed with excitement and the officials of Jumbo Jet Auto Sales have promised just that when they stage the 6th annual Guyana Cup Horserace Meeting at the Port Mourant Race Track, Corentyne Berbice, on

The principals of the horserace meet shortly after the conclusion of the press conference yesterday afternoon. L-r Chairman of the Guyana Horse Race Association (GHRA), Justice Cecil Kennard, coordinator, Melissa Chattergoon, organizer Compton Sancho, and Public Relations and Media Specialist, Ajay Baksh.

Sunday August 26.
Dubbed the largest horserace meeting in Guyana, the forum is touted to be a family affair and the organizers hosted a press conference at their lot 92 Smyth Street Werk-en-Rust offices yesterday afternoon to fill in media operatives of their efforts to address their mandate.
Present at that forum were Interim chairman of the Guyana Horse Race Association (GHRA), Justice Cecil Kennard, organizer, Compton Sancho, coordinator, Melissa Chattergoon and Public Relations and Media Specialist, Ajay Baksh. Ms Chattergoon beseeched support of the public even as she envisaged the excitement in store. She urged the non-traditional fans to be a part of the day’s activities which would also include lots of family oriented events while the popular Slingerz sound system would provide delectable musical entertainment.
Mr. Kennard added his voice to the cause and once again pleaded for appropriate legislation to regularize the sector. He said that there has been immense improvement in the sport bolstered by the competitiveness of the many events. Mr. Kennard also hinted at more stringent measures to curtail doping of the animals. He pointed out that such behaviours could be counterproductive; placing the animals at great risks. He subsequently urged horse owners to desist from such practices.
Mr. Sancho has been an integral part of the sport and has been organizing events for over three decades. He said that indeed the sport has improved immensely ever since the late Harold Tulsi, another horserace enthusiast, had increased the winning stakes to one million dollars. “Presently, jockeys are competing for prizes well over that amount which is an indication of the strides made in the sport.
Indeed, the feature attraction for next month end’s event, the ‘A & Lower over a distance of 1400m,  carries a first place prize of 3 million dollars with a second prize of half that amount. The third and fourth place finishers will win $750,000 and $375,000 respectively. Then there is the race among the 3 years old horses over a similar distance where the winner receives 2 million dollars. The 2nd to 4th place finishers receive $1,000,000, $500,000 and $250,000 respectively. The two years old animals will compete over a distance of 1000m and the winner rides off with one million dollars. The second place finisher will get $500,000, while the 3rd and 4th places receive $250,000 and $125,000 respectively.
The other races on for the day are the E & Lower, F & Lower, G & Lower, 3 years Old Open, 2 years old Open, H & Lower, 13 & Lower and the Division 1, 2 & 3 event.
Several top notched thoroughbreds will be on show including Jet Set Go, Whosoever, Swing Easy, Night Crescendo, Gotta Go and Awesome Warrior among others. Horse owners are required to lodge a 50% non refundable deposit not later than Monday August 20. Entries can be made through Chandu Ramkissoon (624-9063/232-0633) or Chris Jagdeo (624-6123/322-0369). Additional information could also be had from any of the above mentioned individuals.