If ever reigning champions Hydel and former champions Calabar required additional motivation ahead of the 113th ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, they would have received it from multiple World and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
The iconic sprinter, a Digicel ambassador, who has long been an inspiration to athletes both locally and internationally, visited the Corey Bennett-coached teams training session recently to deliver some last-minute encouragement.
Fraser-Pryce, affectionately known as the "Pocket Rocket" for her explosive speed on the track, urged the athletes to give of their best, but also to remain humble and focused in the process.
“Everybody knows its Champs; people are even flying down for it. People bring their A game at Champs, you know this. Some of you have been there before, some of you are already champions and have been champions more than once and you are trying to do it again, but don’t let the moment of the occasion get to you,” the decorated Fraser-Pryce shared.
“Remember also that nobody owes you anything and nothing is put down out there for you either, so you have to work hard,” she added to the acknowledgement of the young athletes.
After playing bridesmaid for several years, Hydel inevitably claimed the girls crown when they dethroned many-time champions Edwin Allen by two-points in a nail-biting battle last year, and they will be aiming to put up another fight on this occasion.
Calabar, also under Bennett’s guidance, faltered to third behind Kingston College and Jamaica College last year. Though going through a rebuilding phase, the perennial challengers, should still produce some exciting performances, especially after Fraser-Pryce’s charge.
Beyond that, Fraser-Pryce also went down memory lane, as she posted a photo of her alongside her statue at the National Stadium.
“Not bad for an athlete that won her first and only individual gold medal in the 100m in Class 2 at Champs in 2004," the caption read.
Aidan O’Brien believes the best is still to come from last season’s Coventry Stakes winner River Tiber.
He suffered a scare in the days leading up to him finishing third to Vandeek in the Prix Morny at Deauville and then filled the same position behind the same horse in the Middle Park.
O’Brien felt he was not at his best in either race, though, and he was also a late withdrawal at the Breeders’ Cup, when he was meant to take on his stablemate Unquestionable in the Juvenile Turf, who ran out the winner.
“River Tiber always worked very good. He wasn’t right in Deauville or in the Middle Park, he wasn’t 100 per cent, so there’s a good chance there’s more to come from him. I think he’s a miler, he’s fast, I couldn’t see him getting much further,” said O’Brien.
“Unquestionable could go to the French Guineas, he’s done very well. He’ll go to Naas on Sunday (after racing) and he could go for a trial in France before going back for the Guineas – and he could be a French Derby horse, he’s not as quick as the others, so he could get a bit further.
“When we went to America with them last year, River Tiber was five lengths better than the winner. He’s not rated that way, but if you put the two of them together, that is what will happen.”
Another promising colt for the season ahead is the unbeaten Henry Longfellow, who could also have the French Classics on his agenda.
“Henry Longfellow could stretch out but he looks like a miler the way he’s going, so how much further he’d get, I’m not sure,” added O’Brien.
“He could be a French Derby horse, as could Diego Velazquez, he might be more that than a Guineas horse, but he’ll go with them (to Naas) as well, so it will be interesting.”
One going further afield is Henry Adams, who is heading to Dubai.
“Henry Adams is lovely and has done very well and he is down to go to Dubai to run in the UAE Derby on the dirt. He’s a No Nay Never so will be interesting on the dirt,” said O’Brien.
As for his Derby team, as usual there are several who at this stage would appear to have all the right credentials.
Leopardstown winner Ocean Of Dreams, from the family of the great Urban Sea, is certainly bred for the job.
“Ocean Of Dreams is getting ready for the Ballysax. He worked yesterday and worked lovely but he’s a bit of a baby because he’s only had one run, so he needs to get out,” continued O’Brien.
“He looks a lovely horse, he won very easily. He has a very good pedigree, he goes back to Urban Sea, I think he’s a Derby trial horse, no doubt about that.
“Los Angeles is a big, strong, powerful horse. He always worked much quicker than he should have been from the day we started working him, he showed loads. He’s very big and shouldn’t have shown as much as he was, but he always did.
“Then he ran in Tipperary and won in Saint-Cloud and Christophe (Soumillon) was impressed the day he rode him. He’ll go for a Derby trial and we’ll see what will happen. He’ll probably go to Naas on Sunday as well. He could be a Curragh (Irish Derby) horse.
“Grosvenor Square could be a very interesting horse. I think he’d have no problem with better ground. He’s not a heavy-framed horse, he’s a good mover. He’ll go for a Derby trial.”
As for the fillies, O’Brien was dealt a blow when news broke recently that Opera Singer, undoubtedly the best prospect in the division, was likely to miss Newmarket, but there are other options.
“Content was impressive last year, she had a lovely run first time but then went to Ascot and lost her way, we had to slow her down and get her to relax,” said O’Brien.
“She won at the Curragh and came home very well (fourth) in the Breeders’ Cup. She could be a very nice filly, you just have to take your time with her, as she has plenty of speed.
“I like Ylang Ylang a lot. She did very well to do what she did because everything went wrong with her the third day, she was too keen. She had to come back to Newmarket and relax but then to go back and do what she did in the Fillies’ Mile, you’d have to like her a lot.
“She could get a mile and a half, she’s out of a Shamardal mare, so there’s every chance she could and the way she likes to be ridden will help her.
“I don’t think if Opera Singer was going to make the Guineas it would have been a difficult choice for Ryan (Moore) though, she (Opera Singer) is very good. What she did in the Boussac…she’s another Justify, set her off in front and follow me if you want.
“The other filly is very good but you have to take your time with her. That’s what makes the Justifys so good, they are so uncomplicated.
“Opera Singer is cantering but missed a few weeks, so I imagine the Irish Guineas would be the earliest, we’d just have to rush her too much otherwise. The year is long.”
Fiona Needham has revelled in the Cheltenham Festival heroics of Sine Nomine – but there will be no shot at the Cheltenham-Aintree double this year for her star mare.
The Catterick clerk of the course was successful in the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase as a rider in 2002, partnering her father Robin Tate’s Last Option to victory.
And she joined the list of famous names to both ride and train the winner of the ‘amateur Gold Cup’ when saddling bargain buy Sine Nomine, who cost just £2,400 as a three-year-old, to topple the JP McManus-owned Its On The Line in the hands of John Dawson.
Owned by her father, Sine Nomine sported the same colours Needham wore to victory herself 22 years ago, with the joyous scenes seen in the winner’s enclosure carrying on right through the weekend.
“She put in a stellar performance and she’s very full of herself since,” said Needham.
“It was a wonderful day and really was the stuff dreams are made of. Her jockey gave her a brilliant ride and the bit of drama where he had to switch at the last didn’t do a lot for my heartrate at the time, but probably made the race more exciting.
“You would have to say she would have won quite easily but for that, but it really showed she is quite gutsy and determined. She quickened up a lot better than I expected up the hill.”
Dawson received a 14-day ban for using the whip two times more than the permitted seven which will see him on the sidelines while the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase takes place during the opening day of Aintree’s Grand National meeting.
However, some relief for Dawson will be Needham deciding against trying to replicate On The Fringe’s achievement of completing the same Aintree-Cheltenham hunter chase double, with a return to Cheltenham for their hunter chase card in early May followed by a crack at Stratford’s Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunters’ Chase later that month in the back of the trainer’s mind.
She said: “We debated Aintree but she did just knock a joint a little bit, which is fine and settling down, but I just want to give her a bit longer and she does not have an entry for Aintree.
“She jumps well but she’s quite bold and I’m not sure that’s the best way to be at Aintree.
“It could be straight to Cheltenham for the hunter chase meeting or Stratford and there re one or two options.
“Obviously it might depend on what the handicapper does with her, but we will see. One route could be the Cheltenham evening meeting and then it could be the Horse and Hound Cup (at Stratford), but that would all be ground dependent because it is going to dry up at some stage. If it keeps raining then great!”
Having savoured a second big afternoon at the Cheltenham Festival, Needham’s thoughts also turn to the eight-year-old returning to Prestbury Park in a bid to join the plethora of back-to-back winners.
On The Fringe (2015 and 2016) and Pacha Du Polder (2017 and 2018) were the most recent to win the race in consecutive years and Needham would be keen to give a repeat a chance after Sine Nomine proved with aplomb she can handle the white hot atmosphere of Gold Cup day in the Cotswolds.
“I’m not sure my nerves will stand it, but you do get repeat winners at Cheltenham,” continued Needham.
“One thing you never know until they get there is the occasion, because it is a big occasion for the horses, and she took it well – she thought everyone was coming to look at her, which is the best way to be.”
West Indies Women will tour Pakistan for a limited-overs series, comprising three ODIs and five T20Is, scheduled to begin on April 18.
The three ODIs will form a part of the ICC Women's Championship 2022-25, and will take place on April 18, 21 and 23.
It will be followed by a five-match T20I series from April 26 to May 3, which will provide both sides with plenty of time to finalize their preparations for this year's ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
All matches games will be played at the National Bank Stadium (NBS) in Karachi.
This will be West Indies women's second tour of the country since 2021. They last visited Pakistan in November 2021 for three ODIs, which they won.
The upcoming ODI series will be Pakistan women’s fourth at home, having earlier hosted Sri Lanka (June 2022), Ireland (November 2022) and South Africa (September 2023).
Pakistan are currently third in the ICC Women's Championship standings with 16 points, while West Indies are towards the bottom at ninth with eight points.
The T20Is will also kick start preparations for both teams in the build-up to the Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Bangladesh in September.
Pakistan's Head of Women’s Cricket Tania Mallick said the series forms part of a strategic move.
"We extend a warm welcome to the West Indies women's team to Pakistan for the upcoming series. Hosting the fourth women's championship series at home within the 2022-25 cycle is a testament to PCB's commitment to promoting women's cricket and providing our players with opportunities to shine on the international stage," Mallick said.
“The forthcoming series against West Indies is not just about cricket; it's about developing relationships and strengthening bonds between cricketing nations. The current position of the Pakistan women’s team reflects our determination and dedication, and we aim to collect maximum points from the three championship matches at home,” she added.
Series schedule
18 Apr – First ODI, Karachi (ICC Women’s Championship)
21 Apr – Second ODI, Karachi (ICC Women’s Championship)
23 Apr – Third ODI, Karachi (ICC Women’s Championship)
26 Apr – First T20I, Karachi
28 Apr – Second T20I, Karachi
30 Apr – Third T20I, Karachi
2 May – Fourth T20I, Karachi
3 May – Fifth T20I, Karachi
Despite training one of the most exciting – and valuable – horses for many a season, Aidan O’Brien insists he is not feeling under any extra pressure, as City Of Troy begins to build for the Qipco 2000 Guineas.
It is not unusual for the winter Guineas favourite to be trained at Ballydoyle, in fact it is an almost annual occurrence. But there does appear to be something special about City Of Troy on the evidence to date.
O’Brien’s comments following his winning debut at the Curragh, when he mentioned Ryan Moore had been worried because he could barely pull him up after crossing the line, caused a stir of excitement and that feeling was backed up with a six-and-a-half-length win in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.
The winning distance was ‘only’ three and a half lengths in soft ground in the Dewhurst, but what has really caught the imagination is the fact that his sire, Justify, was a Triple Crown winner on the dirt.
“He always looked a bit different, every time we worked him really. Then he ran in his maiden,” said O’Brien.
“All he can do is keep turning up and running and see what is happening, but he does work very different.
“Horses are working in very bad ground at the moment, it’s deep. Horses shouldn’t like that, but he is just powering through it.
“We hope to get him to Naas on Sunday after racing – him, Henry Longfellow, River Tiber, they’ll all go together over seven, seven and a half furlongs and we’ll have a little look and all get together, talk to the lads, but the plan is to go straight to the Guineas.
“If that went well, then he could go for the Derby, and if that went well, there’s a chance he could go to Saratoga for a dirt race, the Travers, and that’s very possible if things go well, it will be interesting.
“I don’t feel pressure, all we can do is our best and whatever will be will be.”
While O’Brien does admit he is not the biggest horse in the world, the colt is deceptive.
“He’s done very well over the winter. He’s a medium-sized horse to look at, but when you stand into him he’s much bigger than you think, which is the sign of a very well-proportioned horse. It will be exciting.
“When John (Magnier) and the lads are thinking like that, they are happy to push him out there and see what he can do. If it went well in the Guineas, we’re happy to step up to a mile and a half in the Derby and then come back to 10 furlongs for the Travers on dirt.
“The thinking is to expose him. Obviously he’s by Justify, which makes Justify very exciting for us because he should be able to do dirt as easily as he does grass, that’s what makes him unique really. It’s going to be very exciting, interesting really.”
With workouts planned for his Classic hopefuls at the weekend, O’Brien will be hoping the current saturated ground dries up.
He said: “I’d imagine if he goes to the Guineas he’ll go himself, but when we go to Naas on Sunday it will be the first time they’ve been put together, so we’ll see what will happen.
“What makes him unusual is that he’s by Justify, he should be at home on the dirt but they seem the same on the grass. They stay very well, they are uncomplicated, you can ride them forward.
“Justify looks like a big Quarter Horse but the unusual thing about all his stock is they are very similar, you can set them out there and you can go, that’s what makes him so easy, he can do his own thing, they don’t over-race and just keep going.”
The Bahamas Athletic Associations named a 76-member team for this year's 51st edition of the Carifta Games, scheduled for March 30 to April 1, in Grenada.
Headlining the team are Kamera Strachan and Brenden Vanderpool, both of whom will be aiming to defend their javelin and pole vault titles respectively. The team was selected following three days of fierce competition at the trials at the Thomas A. Robinson track and field stadium last week.
Caudell McNabb will serve as head coach to the team, with James Rolle, Laquel Harrris, Alexis Roberts, Branson Rolle and Kenny Moxey, his assistants at the Easter weekend showpiece.
The under-17 girls are Alexis Roberts (200m, 400m), Keyezra Thomas (200m, 400m, high jump), Jade Knowles (800m, 1500m), Madison Moss (100m hurdles), Darvinique Dean (100m hurdles, 400m hurdles), Jasmine Thompson (400m hurdles), J’Kaiyah Rolle (long Jump), Zoé Adderley (triple Jump), Alexandria Komolafe (high jump), Terrell McCoy (discus, shot putt), Dior-Rae Scott (javelin), Kamera Strachan (javelin), Khylee Wallace (relay pool), Kianna Henchell (relay pool) and Rizpah Thompson (relay pool).
The under-17 boys are Ishmael Rolle (100m, 200m), Everette Fraser (100m, 200m), Eagan Neely (400m — pending fitness), Jayden Moss (800m), Jahcario Wilson (110m hurdles, 400m hurdles), Tieano Ferguson (400m hurdles), Terrin Beckles (long jump), Devon Davis (triple jump), Carlin Archer (triple jump), Joshua Williams (long jump, high jump), Claudius Burrows (high jump), Perry McPhee (discus), Jaylen Stuart (shot putt), Wyatt Cartwright (javelin), Ethan North (javelin), Kion Burrows (relay pool), Shavano Nixon (relay pool), Branden Mackey (relay pool) and Lamorn Moxey (relay pool).
The under-20 girls consists of Shayann Demeritte (100m), Shatalya Dorsett (100m), Nya Wright (200m), Nia Richards (200m, 100m hurdles), Jasmine Mackey (800m), Erin Barr (1500m), Akaree Roberts (800m, 1500m), Koi Adderley (long jump, high jump), Kaielle Gray (high jump), Bayli Major (triple jump), Lanaisha Lubin (long jump, triple jump), Annae Mackey (discus, shot putt), Cailyn Johnson (discus, shot putt), Taysha Stubbs (javelin), Vanessa Sawyer (javelin), Anaiah Rolle (pole vault), Jade Ferguson (pole vault), Aaliyah Evans (heptathlon), Tamia Taylor (relay pool) and Shania Adderley (relay pool).
The under-20 boys will be represented by Carlos Brown (100m), Jeremiah Adderley (100m), Zion Shepherd (400m), Tahj Brown (110m hurdles), Robert Stuart (110m hurdles), Morgan Moss (400m hurdles), Berkeley Munnings (400m hurdles), Rollie Hanna (triple jump), William McKinney (triple jump), Shamar Davis (high jump), Bernard Kemp (high jump), Robert Deal III (discus), Kaden Cartwright (javelin), Brenden Vanderpool (pole vault), Tyler Cash (pole vault), Kenny Moxey Jr. (octathlon), Marco Carey (octathlon), Jonathan Harris (relay pool), Nijae McBride (relay pool), Zion Miller (relay pool), Javano Bridgewater (relay pool) and Aiden Kelly (relay pool).
NB: The Carifta Games will be live on SportsMax and the SportsMax App.
Trinidad and Tobago's track and field community mourns the untimely retirement of one of its brightest stars, Tyriq Horsford, at the age of 24, Trinidad and Tobago’s Newsday has reported. In a heartfelt announcement on social media, Horsford cited persistent medical issues as the reason behind his decision to hang up his spikes.
Throughout his career, Horsford battled shoulder and elbow injuries, which ultimately prevented him from realizing his full potential on the track. Despite his immense talent and dedication, the relentless pain proved too much to overcome.
Horsford leaves behind a remarkable legacy, particularly in the realm of Carifta Games athletics. As a five-time gold medalist in the javelin event, he dominated the competition for years, capturing the hearts of fans across the region. His achievements at the Carifta Games, including multiple meet records, solidified his status as one of Trinidad and Tobago's greatest Carifta athletes of all time.
Coming from a family of athletes, with cousins excelling in long jump at both national and international levels, Horsford's athletic prowess was evident from a young age. His journey continued at Mississippi State University, where he aimed to further hone his skills and pursue his Olympic dreams.
In his retirement announcement, Horsford expressed gratitude to his coaches, mentors, and supporters who guided him along his journey. He encouraged aspiring athletes to cherish every moment in the sport and to relentlessly pursue their dreams.
Reflecting on Horsford's retirement, his longtime coach Wade Franklyn expressed sadness at seeing such a promising career cut short by injury. Franklyn had coached Horsford since he was just eight years old, recognizing his exceptional talent early on. Despite the setback, Franklyn remained hopeful that Horsford's legacy would inspire future generations of athletes.
Excitement is building ahead of the impending arrival of Honeysuckle’s eagerly-awaited first foal.
Owned by Kenny Alexander and trained by Henry de Bromhead, she was one of the most popular and successful National Hunt racemares of any era, winning four times at the Cheltenham Festival, including twice storming up the famous hill for Champion Hurdle glory.
She bowed out when landing a second Grade One Mares’ Hurdle at the showpiece meeting in 2023, lifting the roof off the Cheltenham grandstands as she outbattled Love Envoi for an emotional farewell in the Cotswolds.
Attention soon switched to her broodmare career and after becoming in foal to Walk In The Park, Honeysuckle is nearing her April due date, bringing both excitement and nerves to all associated with her.
“She’s about three weeks off and I’ve been told she is beginning to make a bit of a bag – it’s very exciting and there’s going to start being a few sleepless nights,” said Peter Molony, racing manager to owner Alexander.
Honeysuckle initially spent time at Molony’s Rathmore Stud in County Limerick before switching to Alexander’s New Hall Stud in Ayrshire.
He added: “It’s both a nervous time and exciting, but we’ve been in this game long enough and please God she will foal safely.
“I’ll definitely be on the first plane over to see what she has produced anyway.”
Honeysuckle’s on-track career may be over but Molony may have got his hands on a star of the future, having stretched to a sale-topping £410,000 for impressive point winner Echoing Silence at Cheltenham last Thursday.
Bravemansgame and Gerri Colombe are previous graduates of the sale held after racing on day three of the Festival, while the top two lots from the 2023 auction were Gordon Elliott’s Romeo Coolio and Jalon D’Oudairies, who finished second and third respectively in the Champion Bumper.
A four-length winner at Ballycahane, Echoing Silence will follow in Honeysuckle’s footsteps by joining County Waterford trainer De Bromhead. However, Molony insists it was not him who gave the four-year-old ‘the next Honeysuckle’ moniker.
“I saw that was the headline, but it certainly wasn’t me who said that,” Molony commented on the Honeysuckle comparison.
“It was a lot of money for her but she is the most beautiful-looking thing in the world and we actually sold her half-brother Deafening Silence, so I knew the family well.
“I saw her win her point and she was impressive, and I had been hearing about her beforehand. It’s always nice when you hear about them beforehand and they go on to deliver.
“We had to pull the choke out to get her but hopefully she will be lucky for us.”
Vauban’s big aim is a return to Australia for the Melbourne Cup but Willie Mullins has not definitively ruled out an appearance at the Punchestown Festival.
The Rich and Susannah Ricci-owned six-year-old has not been seen since finishing only 14th of 23 when sent off favourite for last year’s Melbourne Cup.
He has not run over hurdles since chasing home stable companion and current champion hurdler State Man at last season’s Punchestown Festival, after which his attentions were switched to the Flat.
He won the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot, beating another stablemate in Absurde, who won the County Hurdle last week, and then had little trouble in winning the Group Three Ballyroan Stakes before his trip to Australia.
“Yes (he’s likely to have a Flat campaign), I think that’s more or less the plan,” said Mullins.
“He might get a run in Punchestown if he’s ready but I think I’m going to concentrate on getting him back to Melbourne in ship shape and have another crack at the Melbourne Cup in November.”
Edwin Allen’s Trezeguet Taylor and Damor Miller of Excelsior led qualifiers to the semi-finals of their respective Class one 100m events on Tuesday’s opening day of the 113th ISSA GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.
Taylor easily topped heat three in a comfortable 11.87s ahead of Camperdown’s Caneila Hope (11.98s), with Brittney McCormack (12.00s) of Bridgeport High securing one of the non-automatic qualifying spot.
Hydel’s Alliah Baker (11.94s) was also easy in topping heat two, followed by Asharria Ulett (12.34s) of St Catherine High, while another medal favourite Habiba Harris (11.89s) of St Elizabeth Technical topped heat five, ahead of Holmwood Technical’s Kiara Meikle (11.90s).
Over in Class two, Edwin Allen High’s Thienna-Lee Terrelonge began her quest to add more gold to her silverware, as she expectedly led qualifiers into the semi-finals. Terrelonge topped the field with a time of 11.25s.
The other automatic qualifiers include Sabrina Dockery of Lacovia High (11.90s); St Jago High’s Briana Campbell (11.94s) and Bryana Davidson (12.10s); Hydel High’s Shemonique Hazel (12.00s). Holmwood Technical’s Regina Bailey (12.31s); Immaculate Conception’s Shevi-Anne Shim (12.36s); and Tianna Marshall of Wolmer’s Girls (12.25s), also progressed.
Meanwhile, Natrice East of Wolmer’s Girls’ School comfortably booked her spot in the semi-finals of the Class 3 girls 100m, as she clocked an easy 12.42s to claim heat one ahead of Holmwood Technical’s Shaneka Wilson (12.70s) and Jahmilia Humes of Meadowbrook High (12.89s).
Edwin Allen High’s Kerelle Etienne (12.65s), Vere Technical’s Tianna Bembridge (12.78s), and Mikaela McBean of Convent of Mercy Alpha (12.90s) of heat two, and Adora Campbell of St Jago High (12.20s) and Mount Alvernia’s Gianna Murray (12.60s) of heat three, are through to the next round.
In Class four, Hydel High’s Teixiera Johnson (12.36s) and gold medal favourite, Rihanna Scott (12.52s) of Ferncourt High, eased into the semi-finals. They were joined by York Castle’s Micka-Lee James (12.61), Immaculate Conception High’s Aaliyah Brown (12.71), Holmwood Technical’s Devonnie Francis (12.81) and Manchester High’s Lennora Scarlett (12.98), among others.
On the boys’ side, Miller cruised to 10.60s in the eighth and final heat, leading St Jago’s Tajai Duffus (10.67s) and Tay-Shawn Barnes (10.83s) of Steer Town Academy, into the semi-finals. Another St Jago standout Raheem Pinnock also topped heat five in 10.68s, followed by Jamaica College’s Donatae Watson (10.74s).
The Calabar duo of Khamani Gordon (10.77s) and Shaquane Gordon (10.71s) also booked their spots in the semi-finals after topping heats four and six respectively, while Kingston College’s Yourie Lawrence Clarke (10.74s) and Herbert Morrison’s Deandre Daley (10.75s), were also a cut above rivals in their respective heats.
In class two, Muschett High’s Johan-Ramaldo Smythe (10.65s) topped all qualifiers. Other medal favourites Tavaine Stewart of Herbert Morrison (10.91s); Kyle Bodden (10.92s) and Nyron Wade (10.95s) of Kingston College; Jamaica College’s Malique Dennis (11.11s); Excelsior High’s Malike Nugent (11.04s) and Tyreece Foreman (11.03s); and Calabar’s Byron Walker (11.08s), also progressed.
Some of the automatic qualifiers in the boys’ Class three includes, Mario Ross (11.36s) and Deandre Myers (11.65s) of Wolmer’s Boys, the Jamaica College pair of Olando Anglin (11.65s) and Darnell Douglas (12.04s); Naethan Bryan (11.39s) and Rushaun Dunn (11.82s) of St George’s College; Kingston College’s Kelvin Brown (11.83s); Edwin Allen’s Taheem Thompson (11.70s) and Kalel Archibald (11:58s) and St Jago High’s Andre Boyd (11.49s).
The semi-finals and finals of the 100m are scheduled for Wednesday evening.
Galopin Des Champs was once again welcomed home by an adoring crowd as the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner paraded before locals in the village of Leighlinbridge in County Carlow on Tuesday evening.
Victorious in the pinnacle of National Hunt racing last year, this time the Willie Mullins-trained gelding was able to take his career to the next level when becoming one of a select few to retain the title.
The 11-10 favourite under Paul Townend, Galopin Des Champs never looked threatened by any of his rivals and it was only the loose Fastorslow that ever threatened to thwart a repeat of last year’s triumph.
Victorious by three and a half lengths from Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe, the Audrey Turley-owned eight-year-old has put his name among the greats of the race and next year could join the likes of the mighty Arkle and Best Mate as a three-time winner.
Galopin Des Champs was joined by State Man, winner of the Champion Hurdle in a another memorable meeting for Mullins, with his nine-winner haul including his 100th Festival success when Jasmin De Vaux took the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
The Windward Islands Volcanoes hold a narrow 3.2-point lead over the Leeward Islands Volcanoes entering the final three rounds of the 2024 West Indies Championship.
The Windwards suffered their first loss of the season in round four last week, going down by six wickets against the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force at the Queen’s Park Oval.
They will enter their fifth-round tussle with the Guyana Harpy eagles at Coolidge in Antigua beginning on Wednesday on 67.4 points.
The Hurricanes beat the Combined Campuses & College’s by three wickets in round four at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground to move to 64.2 points in second.
The Jamaica Scorpions, who finished at the foot of the table last season with 25.6 points, are currently third with 50.2 points on the back of their second win of the season, a two-wicket win over the West Indies Academy at Sabina Park.
The Scorpions will face the Hurricanes at Sabina Park in round five.
The Barbados Pride, on the back of a 33-run defeat at the hands of defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles at Coolidge, are fourth with 48.2 points, one point ahead of the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in fifth.
Both teams will do battle at the Queen’s Park Oval in round five.
The standings are rounded out by the Harpy Eagles (46.2), the West Indies Academy (30.8) and the Combined Campuses & Colleges (19.8).
The Academy and CCC will face off at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in round five.
All round five matches will begin on Wednesday.
Elite Jamaican sprinter Briana Williams has embarked on a strategic journey to enhance her track career by joining celebrated track coach John Smith's HSI training group in Los Angeles, California. The move comes as Williams gears up for her quest to secure a spot on Jamaica's team for the Paris 2024 Olympics, aiming to build on her impressive track record as an Olympic gold medalist and back-to-back World Championships silver medalist.
Expressing her enthusiasm for this new chapter in her career, Williams remarked, "I'm excited to join a new team and work with coaches who will help me reach my full potential. I've achieved a lot so far, but I know I can do even better with the right support and training. I'm looking forward to pushing myself and seeing how far I can go."
She expressed her gratitude to her previous coach Michael Frater stating, "I am extremely grateful to Coach Frater for the work he has done to help my progress so far this season and I wish him and the members of the Dynamic Athletics team the very best going forward.”
Williams' decision to join Coach John Smith's training group is regarded as a strategic step towards realizing her long-term goals, which include vying for gold at future Olympics and World Championships. With her exceptional talent, experience, and unwavering determination, Williams is poised to leave an indelible mark in the world of track and field.
As one of the most promising young sprinters globally, Williams has already established herself as a formidable force on the international stage. Her stellar performances have earned her recognition among the sport's elite, inspiring fans and fellow athletes alike with her dedication to excellence.
With access to top-notch coaching and resources within her new training group, Williams is poised to refine her technique and elevate her performance to unprecedented heights. Her decision underscores her unwavering commitment to excellence and her relentless pursuit of greatness in the sport of track and field.
Smith has coach an impressive list of athletes in his career that has spanned decades. Among the luminaries he has coached are Ato Boldon (Williams' former coach), Olympic champion Maurice Greene, World champion Carmelita Jeter and Olympic champion Marie Jose Perec. He also conditions Marie Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast.
The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honorable Olivia Grange, has congratulated Michael Ricketts on his re-election as Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President.
Ricketts has been returned to the presidency of the Jamaica Football Federation following elections held in Negril, Hanover on Sunday.
He defeated challenger Raymond Anderson 39-17 in the vote count that was completed at the Royalton Resort in Negril, shortly before 5 pm Sunday.
Ricketts, who has been president since 2017, will now serve a second full term at the helm, after riding out the buffeting winds of controversy most of which centered around the fallout between Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz and the administration over alleged unpaid fees and general disrespect.
Minister Grange said, “I anticipate an early meeting with the new administration to hear of the plans for the Federation going forward.”
“I believe differences should be put aside and that the focus should be on what is best in the interest of the further progress of Jamaica’s football, in both the men and women’s game. The mantra should be renewal, recommitment and repair. Let us all work together, there is much more still to be done.”
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