Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
The American Gal, ridden by Paul Francis, holds on grimly to win the fourth race for the Dr. Ralston Feanny Memorial Trophy over 1100 metres from the fast finishing Fast Break (Larris Allen) at Caymanas Park on Saturday. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
HORSE RACING received a shot in the arm with Supreme Ventures putting up a whopping $5.5 million for a lucrative three-race series for native bred two-year-olds, with total purse money of $7.5 million.
Paul Hoo, chairman of Supreme Ventures Limited, said the sponsorship is 'very unique' and is a result of the merger of Supreme Ventures, the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association (TOBA) and Caymanas Track Limited (CTL).
Details were announced by representatives of Supreme Ventures and CTL at a press launch last Thursday evening at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.
The series is the first of its kind in Jamaica and the English-speaking Caribbean. It will take the form of of three graded two-year-old races with a total purse package of $7.5 million, and a bonus of $1 million to the lucky owner of the two-year-old that is capable of winning all three races.
The first race in the series, the Cash Pot 'Only One For Me' Trophy (Grade III) over 1200 metres with a purse of $2 million, takes place on Saturday, October 15.
This will be followed by the Pick 3 Super Challenge Trophy (Grade III) over 1400 metres on Saturday, November 26.
The final race in the series on Boxing Day, Tuesday, December 27, the Supreme Ventures Limited Jamaica 2-y-o Stakes (Grade I) over 1600 metres, offers a total purse of $3 milliom - up from $2.25 million last year when KAMIR took top honours ahead of the subsequent Derby winner MIRACLE MAN.
To become eligible for the million dollar bonus and free entry to the first two races, the horse would have to meet the following criteria:
(a) Pass through sold or unsold in the 2004 TOBA Yearling Sale on November 14 last year; and (b) Nominated by their owners to TOBA on/or before November 14, 2004.
Horses that were not entered, sold or nominated at the TOBA yearling sale in 2004 are still eligible to run if their owners pay a nomination fee of $50,000 by Saturday, October 8.
However, these owners will not be eligible for the million-dollar bonus.
To get the ball rolling on Saturday, October 15, Supreme Ventures Limited will contribute $1.5 million into purses. Of the 11 races offered, 10 will benefit from additional purse money.
Top contenders for the series are the unbeaten stable companions MINISTER ON FIRE and FIRE WORKS, SUPER NATURAL who is also unbeaten, MITAKA, BULLET TRAIN, as well as COCK ROBIN, DEVIL WOMAN, PRINCESS SUE, DANCING SAM and NO GUTS NO GLORY.
Also speaking were Brian George, president and CEO of Supreme Ventures Limited and CTL's racing secretary, Denzil Miller Jnr. who provided raceday details.
Champion trainer Philip Feanny, who conditions MINISTER OF FIRE, FIRE WORKS and MITAKA, represented TOBA at the function in the absence of its president, Howard Hamilton.
