Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the legendary Jamaican sprinter, has signed a deal with Swiss luxury watch company Richard Mille. The 36-year-old, who is a five-time World Champion at 100m and two-time Olympic 100m gold medallist, signed a three-year deal with the esteemed watchmaker on July 1.
This is Fraser-Pryce's first international sponsor, outside of her shoe sponsor Nike. The deal will also help fund her Pocket Rocket Foundation which provides scholarships annually to Jamaican high-school student-athletes.
There are plans to have Fraser-Pryce wearing a Richard Mille watch when she takes to the track at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest next month, where she will be vying for a record-extending sixth 100m title.
She joins such esteemed members of the Richard Mille family that includes Yohan Blake, Rafael Nadal, Wayde van Niekerk, Didier Drogba, and Fernando Alonso.
Over an illustrious career spanning almost two decades, Fraser-Pryce has established herself as arguably the greatest female sprinter of all time. In 2008, she became the first Jamaican woman to win an Olympic 100m title. She followed up by winning the 100m title at the World Championships in Berlin, Germany.
She added a second Olympic 100m title in 2012, joining Wyoma Tyus and Gail Devers as the only women to have won consecutive Olympic titles. Her compatriot Elaine Thompson-Herah joined that pantheon at the Tokyo Olympics after winning her first 100m title in Rio, Brazil in 2016.
In Moscow in 2013, Fraser-Pryce became the first woman to win the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m at a World Championships. She added a fourth 100m title in Helsinki in 2015.
Despite a toe injury in 2016, Fraser-Pryce won a bronze medal in the 100m at the Rio 2016 Olympics and became the only woman to win medals in the 100m at three consecutive Olympic Games.
She gave birth to her son Zyon in 2017 after which she returned to the track in 2019 to win her fourth 100m world title in Doha, Qatar. She followed up with a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and extended her record when she became the only woman to win medals in the 100m at four consecutive Olympic Games.
She added to her incredible legacy at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon where she won the 100m in a championship record of 10.67 and because the first running athlete to win five gold medals in the same event at a World Championships. The Pocket Rocket then added a silver medal in the 200m, running 21.83 to finish behind compatriot Shericka Jackson who won gold in 21.45, the second-fastest time ever run by a woman over the distance.
That same year, Fraser-Pryce added to her already considerable legacy by running below 10.7 seconds for the 100m, a record seven times. She is the only woman ever to accomplish that feat.
This new deal with Richard Mille is a testament to Fraser-Pryce's status as one of the greatest athletes of all time. It is also a sign of her continued dominance in the world of sprinting. With this new partnership, Fraser-Pryce is sure to continue to inspire and amaze fans for years to come.
Yohan Blake and his management team have unequivocally denied any validity to a widely-circulated article stating that the 2011 World Champion will be taking legal action against the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) over a timer malfunction at the recently-concluded National Championships at the National Stadium.
The article which is said to have been published on Wednesday, July 12, derived from the fact that Blake ran by himself in an attempt to make the men’s 100 metres semi-finals, after he was initially disqualified for a false start.
During his run against the clock, Blake, the World’s second-fastest man over the distance was clocked at 10.32 seconds, which was not good enough to see him through to the next round.
While it was rumoured that the 33-year-old was not pleased with the time, his manager Timothy Spencer has since cleared the air.
“Yohan has no intention of suing anyone,” Spencer told Sportsmax.TV.
Blake, who is in Silesia, Poland also rubbished the 'report' stating, "I dont know where this is coming from. I have moved on already and I'm focussing on the races ahead of me. In my head I'm already thinking about 2024 and hope I can represent Jamaica in the Olympic Games in 2024 in Paris."
Meanwhile, when contacted JAAA’s president Garth Gayle said the article "is not credible because we have no official documentation."
Emily Upjohn has been given the go-ahead to run in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 29.
Trainers John and Thady Gosden were reluctant to commit the four-year-old filly to the midsummer highlight in the immediate aftermath of her meritorious run in the Eclipse last weekend.
She was beaten just half a length at Sandown by Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old colt Paddington, who was in receipt of 7lb.
The Gosdens are keen to step her back up in trip and have seen nothing this week that should prevent her from heading to Ascot, which was the scene of her only disappointing run to date in the race last year.
Gosden senior said: “After a race like that you take stock, but I couldn’t be more thrilled. She’s in great form with herself, I had to canter her again quickly.
“I’m very pleased with her and there’s no reason at the minute why she wouldn’t go to the King George.”
But one horse who might miss the King George is last year’s Derby winner Desert Crown, who was absent from Royal Ascot after a setback.
His trainer Sir Michael Stoute said: “We don’t know if we will get him ready in time (for the King George). He is back in fast work, so we will decide closer to the time. It’s a little bit tight time-wise.”
Gosden also had news of Mostahdaf, such an impressive winner of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.
“He goes to the International, he should enjoy York as he likes to play around before the races like Stradivarius used to!” he told Racing TV.
“We’ve had to space his races, he ran in the Neom Cup in Saudi which he won in February, he came back and then went to the Sheema Classic in March, in which he took on the world champion in Equinox and tried to race with him, which is a mistake.
“He came back to a mile and a quarter and showed us what he could do in the Prince of Wales’s in which he was very impressive. He came out of it super, he’s very full of himself every morning.”
Nostrum created a big impression when making all the running to win the Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket.
Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the Kingman colt was one of last season’s leading juveniles, finishing third in the Dewhurst behind subsequent 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean – like Nostrum owned by Juddmonte.
Forced to miss the Guineas due to a minor setback, Nostrum was making his seasonal reappearance at Listed level but was still sent off the 11-10 favourite against some promising rivals.
Ryan Moore was happy to make the running, settling beautifully, and just like his sire he produced a smart turn of foot when needed.
Going into the dip, when Moore pressed the button the race was soon over and while the previously unbeaten Embesto gave chase, he was beaten by a comprehensive three lengths.
Stoute said: “It was everything I hoped to see. He had been off for nine months, but he was working very well.
“It looked a competitive field, so we weren’t confident of winning, but we knew he’d run very well.
“But he was most impressive. I was very pleased with him.
“He knocked a hind leg and he needed time to get the infection out and get him right again. The last three weeks we’ve been happy that he’d shown progressive improvement. Ryan liked him.”
Coral halved Stoute’s charge to 6-1 for the Qatar Sussex Stakes, but Stoute said: “I haven’t a clue yet where he will go. He could go a mile and a quarter when we want. We have to see how he comes out of it.
“He will tell us if he could go into Group One company next time, but on today’s evidence, I think he’s ready. I don’t know.
“His two-year-old career was brimfull of promise. Things didn’t quite right for him in the Dewhurst. He’s come here today and won impressively and we can only be very happy, because he is a nice, progressive horse.”
Off-spinner Saurav Worrell was the star of the show with a brilliant six-wicket haul as Barbados handed Jamaica their only defeat of the West Indies Men’s Rising Stars Under-19 50-over Tournament in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Worrell ripped through the Jamaican batting at Arnos Vale on Wednesday, finishing with figures of 6-28 off 20 overs, to restrict the Jamaicans to 106 all out to complete a 75-run win.
Captain, Nathan Sealy, also chipped in with 3-13 off 9.4 overs. Adrian Weir (33) and Brian Barnes (32) were the only Jamaican batsmen to score more than eight.
Earlier, Joshua Dorne hit 64 and Zion Brathwaite hit 40 as Barbados posted 181 all out off 45 overs.
Michael Clarke took 4-34 to lead the Jamaicans with the ball and got good support from Deshawn James who took 3-32 off eight overs.
Jamaica, despite the defeat, finished the tournament top of the table with four wins out of five games.
The Windward Islands finished second after their third win in five games with a 56-run win over Guyana at the Park Hill Playing Field in Colonarie.
The Windwards posted a formidable 285-5 off their 50 overs batting first, the highest total in the tournament.
Divonie Joseph led the way with the first century of the Championship, an unbeaten 110 off 132 balls including nine fours and four sixes, while Tarrique Edward provided good support with 64.
Jonathan Rampersaud took 2-49 for Guyana.
Rampersaud also showed good form with the bat, reaching 58* off 46 balls as Guyana reached 179-7 off 38.5 overs before rain ended proceedings with Guyana 56-runs short of where they needed to be.
Earlier, Mavendra Dindyal made 37 and Rampertab Ramnauth 33 as Edward ended with 4-40 from his 10 overs.
The day’s third match saw Trinidad & Tobago pull off a nail-biting three-wicket win over the Leeward Islands at Sion Hill.
The Leewards were bowled out for just 94 in 34.3 overs batting first. The bulk of the damage was done by Ronillster Perreira who took 4-21 from his 10 overs. Vasant Singh took 3-15 from eight overs in support.
The Trinidadians then struggled to reach their target, eventually losing seven wickets on their way to 95 in 34.3 overs.
Kimani Nisbett and Michael Palmer took two wickets, each for the Leewards.
All teams will now turn their attention to the three-day format starting on Saturday.
Israr was well on top of the line, as 2021 Derby and King George winner Adayar disappointed in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket.
Charlie Appleby’s Adayar was a long odds-on favourite to get back to winning ways following a meritorious run in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Back up to his favoured mile and a half on the July course, the 1-3 market leader was expected to take care of three rivals before heading to the King George and an attempt to reclaim the crown he won two years ago.
Everything appeared to be going smoothly three furlongs from home as Jim Crowley began to get serious with Israr, but Adayar was not pulling away.
As soon as Israr, trained by John and Thady Gosden, pulled level, William Buick began to send out distress signals but there was no response from Adayar, with Israr (7-2) ultimately pulling four and a half lengths clear.
Royal Ascot third Swingalong looks to be the ace in Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum’s pack as the owner has assembled a strong hand for the William Hill Summer Stakes at York on Friday.
Karl Burke’s three-year-old won the Lowther Stakes over course and distance as a juvenile and since then has acquitted herself well in a plethora of high-class contests.
She relished the drop back to six furlongs when making the podium in the Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting and that Group One performance behind Shaquille and Little Big Bear marks her out as the one to beat here.
“Right from Ascot this has been the target, Karl said straight away the Summer Stakes would be perfect,” said Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager for the owner.
“Hopefully this is her race. Six furlongs seems to be where she is at her best and we hope she will have a really strong hand in the race.”
Joining Swingalong in the owners’ colours is last year’s City Walls Stakes winner Royal Aclaim and William Haggas’ Pink Crystal, who has some smart course form to her name in handicap company.
“It’s a nice, easy six at York and should suit,” continued Robinson on James Tate’s Royal Aclaim, who steps up to the distance for the first time here.
“If she came back to her best, she is a very, very talented filly. She was a little disappointing last time, but they all have off days.
“She was entered up for the July Cup and hasn’t doesn’t a lot wrong. Last year I really thought she would be top, sprinting wise, she just hasn’t gone on from that. But back in this class she has to be somewhere close.”
Robinson added on Pink Crystal: “She was third last time at York and has experience on the track.
“She is going to have a little bit to find, but you never know and William surprised us all at Sandown the other day winning a Listed race with a 78-rated filly.
“His horses seem to be in great form and she will be trying to do the same thing and sneak into a place somewhere and get a bit of black type. You never know, she might excel.”
Michael Dods’ course-and-distance scorer Gale Force Maya was third in this last year, but has a point to prove after two lacklustre displays so far this term, while fellow track-and-trip winner Secret Angel and Richard Fahey’s Ayr Listed runner-up Marine Wave are others bidding to land a winning blow for the north.
Nell Gwyn winner Mammas Girl drops back in both trip and class after finishing well held in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, while Ralph Beckett’s Juliet Sierra was a top two-year-old and is also sent sprinting having started her three-year-old campaign in a hot contest here during the Dante meeting.
“We’re starting back on the road with her and I thought she ran a good race over a mile back in the spring,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.
“She didn’t stay the mile but she was only beaten a touch over five lengths, giving weight to some nice horses.
“Six might be a little short and her optimum is probably seven. We’ll start her back here now and hopefully the second half of the season we can have a good run with her, she’s a nice filly.”
David Evans’ Radio Goo Goo saw her four-race winning run come to an end when fourth in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes at Ascot last month and she will be aiming to get back to winning ways and also confirm form over Steph Hollinshead’s Al Simmo, who was just a nose behind when they clashed over track and trip not too long ago.
It is rare that husband and wife jockeys ride against each other in a top-class race, and it is rarer still that they ride for the same trainer.
Yet that is the prospect facing Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle when they oppose each other in the Group One Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.
Doyle is on the much-fancied Nashwa for owner Imad Al Sagar, while Marquand will sport the famous pink and green Juddmonte colours aboard Coppice, with both trained by John and Thady Gosden.
For racing’s ‘golden couple’, it is business as normal, as Doyle explained: “I’m obviously only riding because of Imad’s retainer, but it’s good that Tom has picked up that good ride.
“Riding against him in a Group One for the same team is not something I’ve really thought about – it would never really cross my mind. It’s just another day at the office.”
Third in last year’s Oaks, Nashwa went on to give Doyle a first Classic success when taking the French equivalent at Chantilly before recording a second Group One success in the Nassau at Goodwood and excellent placed efforts in both France and America.
However, she has failed to really sparkle in her two starts this term, at Chantilly and Newcastle, and Doyle is hoping she will finally be ready to show her true colours as she drops back to a mile for the first time in eight starts since landing a Haydock novice in April last year.
“I think she has taken a time to come to hand,” added Doyle. “She is really big and has grown a lot over the winter. I just think she has taken a few runs to get straightened out, really.
“John and Thady are clearly happy with the way she has come out of Newcastle to run her back in the Falmouth. We will leave it to them – they usually do the right thing.”
Marquand replaces the suspended Frankie Dettori aboard Coppice, who followed up her Newcastle novice success with victory in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot.
He said: “Obviously it’s fantastic to pick up a ride of Coppice’s quality in a major Group One.
“She comes in off the back of an impressive performance at Ascot with Frankie and under unfortunate circumstances for him, I’ve been lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to get aboard her, so hopefully she can continue along her progressive path.”
Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owner Juddmonte, feels it is a “nice opportunity” for Coppice to test her mettle.
He said: “This is a huge step up in class, but she’s a nice filly and she won well at Ascot.
“She’s a filly that we have Group-race aspirations for so we will start here and see how we get on and if we have to lower her sights, then we can. She’s a filly who, if she could get third in a Group One, then that would be a nice result.”
The George Boughey-trained Via Sistina, winner of the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh just under two weeks ago, is a likely favourite but her participation hinges on some ease in the Newmarket ground.
Bookmakers see Ralph Beckett’s duo, Remarquee and last year’s winner Prosperous Voyage, as the biggest threats outside of Nashwa, with the former making her first outing for new owners Wathnan Racing on the back of her second to Tahiyra in the Coronation Stakes.
Meanwhile, defending champion Prosperous Voyage was a winner at Epsom before finishing third in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Ascot and returns to the scene of her finest hour with William Buick deputising for the suspended Frankie Dettori in the saddle.
“Hopefully the rain will hold off for her,” said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager for Marc Chan, who owns the filly with Andrew Rosen.
“Her last two runs have been good and she goes into the race as well as she did last year, so you would have to be really hopeful.”
Saffie Osborne maintains her partnership with Ed Walker’s Random Harvest, having finished a place behind Prosperous Voyage at Epsom, but a place in front of that rival at Ascot, while Never Ending Story (Aidan O’Brien), Ameynah (Roger Varian) and Astral Beau (Pam Sly) complete the line-up.
Jasour came from last to first to put up a visually impressive display in winning the Kingdom Of Bahrain July Stakes at Newmarket.
Trained by Clive Cox, the son of Havana Grey was sent off a 16-1 chance on the back of victory at Nottingham last time out.
The well-fancied Purosangue attempted to make all under Ray Dawson but with two furlongs to run he had done the best of his running.
Norfolk Stakes runner-up Malc was under pressure from a long way out before staying on again.
Toca Madera made a bold bid for home, before Jim Crowley got a lovely split at just the right time on Jasour, who quickened up in taking fashion to put the race to bed in a matter of strides.
Lake Forest, a debut winner for William Haggas, was another to make ground from the rear but was beaten a comprehensive two lengths with a head back to Toca Madera.
Cox said: “Really pleased. He always gave us a lot of promise and we felt at home that dropping in behind was going to see a big improvement. He has just run in two races where nothing has been able to lead him early.
“Stepping up to six was a step into the unknown. He had to really settle and he did – beautifully. In a race of this class, it was magical to see him do that. I’m just so pleased, so happy, so proud of him.
“I’m so pleased for Sheikh Sultan. He’s a big supporter and following on behind Golden Horde – and sadly he missed that one winning at Royal Ascot – this is a really nice horse to have and a nice one to witness in person.”
He added: “We will go to the Richmond (Stakes, at Goodwood) from here. He will have an entry in the Prix Morny and we’ll see what’s what. The natural progression, everything is possible. He has a lovely mind and is very well behaved. He has been an absolute Christian to deal with.
“What is really pleasing is the stallion, Havana Grey, is producing three-year-olds as well, so we have every bit of confidence he will hopefully continue. He is clearly a very good two-year-old.
“He has won a Group Two now, so it will be front-foot all the way.”
Kieran Shoemark is relishing the opportunity to partner Oaks heroine Soul Sister in the Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp on Friday evening.
The 27-year-old, who won his first Group One aboard Lady Bowthorpe in 2021, is enjoying a fine season riding 33 winners so far, including a Group Three aboard Vadream earlier in the campaign.
With Soul Sister’s usual partner Frankie Dettori suspended and many other big-name riders required at Newmarket’s July Festival, he has the chance to continue his good run in the saddle having received the call up from John and Thady Gosden for the plum ride aboard their Epsom scorer.
It is a great opportunity for the jockey to showcase his talent on the biggest stage and at a venue where he has enjoyed some of his best days in the saddle.
He followed up his win aboard Dreamloper in the Prix d’Ispahan in the French capital with a double at the track last September when Dreamloper claimed the Prix du Moulin and West Wind Blows won the Prix du Prince d’Orange.
“I’m very much looking forward to it,” said Shoemark. “I like Longchamp and the filly has been very impressive to date and I’m very fortunate I have been given this opportunity and I can’t wait to take it.
“I couldn’t quite believe it myself, but timings have kind of worked out with good racing being on at Newmarket and Frankie Dettori being suspended and it was just being in the right place at the right time.
“I’ve had quite a lot of luck at Longchamp, so hopefully that continues.”
Eight head to post for the 12-furlong Group One and although Soul Sister may be the sole British interest, Aidan O’Brien fields Irish Derby second and fourth, Adelaide River and Peking Opera, as he tries to add to his impressive record in the race.
Shoemark is extremely respectful of the Ballydoyle challenge and has the Curragh runner-up Adelaide River as one of Soul Sister’s chief dangers, as well as Pascal Bary’s Feed The Flame, who was visually impressive in his first two starts before claiming fourth place in the Prix du Jockey Club.
“I thought Adelaide River ran a huge race in the Irish Derby and the French horse Feed The Flame was a gallant fourth in the French Derby,” added Shoemark.
“It’s a competitive field and we’re getting 3lb off the colts. This is a tough task and it is the first time a filly has ran in the race for 10 years, so it is something that doesn’t happen very often. But John and Thady Gosden have her in good order and hopefully we go there with a good chance.”
Andre Fabre is the race’s leading trainer and will bid to add to his tally with Prix Hocquart winner First Minister, while others representing the home team include Prix du Lys first and second, Rubis Vendome and Silawi, and Winter Pudding who is the mount of recent Prix Jean Prat-winner Stephane Pasquier.
Charlie Appleby’s Star Of Mystery has the chance to cement herself as one of the season’s leading juvenile fillies when she takes her place in Friday’s Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.
Godolphin won the race with subsequent 1000 Guineas hero Mawj 12 months ago and look to have a fine chance of doing the double with Star Of Mystery, who dazzled over course and distance last time.
Although only second to the well-regarded Carla’s Way on debut, she bolted up at Doncaster on her second start and confirmed the promise of that performance with a high-class display in the Empress Fillies’ Stakes.
She was a cosy four lengths clear of the opposition in that Listed event and now steps up to Group Two company.
“Star Of Mystery came out of her recent win in good order and this looks a natural progression for her,” Appleby told www.godolphin.com.
“A couple of her rivals bring Royal Ascot form into the race, which always warrants respect, but she looks the one to beat based on her Empress Stakes display.”
Albany Stakes third Soprano was declared a non-runner on Thursday, but Ascot form will still be represented by Persian Dreamer, was fourth in that six-furlong contest.
“Persian Dreamer ran a blinder (at Ascot) and she was the last horse off the bridle,” said trainer Dominic Ffrench Davis.
“I think if she had been drawn on the other side she would definitely have been in the first three, but she ran very well and has come out of the race well.
“Any rain would be appreciated because she does like to get her toe in a little bit – I’m not sure it is going to happen but she would appreciate a little cut.
“She’s a lovely filly and I think she is going to stay further. She will get seven and a mile next year and I think she will get seven later this year. I think she is going to be a very classy filly if we can keep her in one piece.”
In the bet365 Trophy, Kihavah will bid to continue his fine run of form for handler Adrian Keatley.
The six-year-old has won his last four starts over both codes and having landed a pair of competitive York handicaps, made it a Flat hat-trick when striking at Ayr most recently.
“He’s in good form and hopefully not too much rain comes and the ground stays good,” said Keatley.
“But he is in good order and hopefully he can do the job again. He’s done great for us and we’re delighted with him.”
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz are left to pick up the pieces of another failed Concacaf Gold Cup campaign, as they again fell by the wayside at the semi-final stage, losing 0-3 to Mexico in an entertaining encounter at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday.
Henry Martin opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, before Luis Chavez (30th) inflicted more pain, leaving substitute Roberto Alvarado (90+3) to throw salt in the Jamaicans wounds and send eight-time champions Mexico into their third-consecutive Gold Cup final.
They will meet 2005 and 2013 finalists Panama in Sunday’s final, after the Central Americans defeated United States 5-4 on sudden-death penalty after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in full and extra time at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
With a large turnout of Jamaican spectators inside the 61,000-capacity stadium, the Reggae Boyz, who were finalists in the 2015 and 2017 tournaments, and also 2019 semi-finalist, started with a burst of purpose but it evaporated as briskly as it started.
This, as Mexico won possession from the failed Jamaican attack, in the middle of the park and broke down the right channel. A long pass switching the point of attack was picked up by Jesus Gallardo, whose pass across the 18-yard box found an unmarked Martin, who applied an easy finish beyond Andre Blake.
The Mexicans went close to doubling the lead eight minutes later, but Blake diving full stretch to his left, denied Erick Sanchez’s left-footed effort from the top of the 18-yard box.
Though the Jamaicans orchestrated a few quick breaks, using their speed an athleticism down the channels, they were unable to make it count in the final third, where the lacked composure.
In fact, it wasn’t until the 24th minute that they got a shot off at Guillermo Ochoa’s goal when Demarai Gray found space for a right-footer from outside the 18-yard box that was easily collected by the Mexican shot stopper.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, they soon found themselves two goals down at the half-hour mark when Chavez’s delightfully taken left-footed free kick from about 25 yards out, rendered a five-man wall useless, beating Blake’s full stretch dive to his right.
While the action remained lively for the most parts, neither team was able to create any more meaningful chances in the latter stages of the half, as they went to the break with the score unchanged.
Heimir Hallgrimsson made a tactical change at the top of the second half, bringing on striker Shamar Nicholson for holding midfielder Kevon Lambert and the move worked to some extent, as the Reggae Boyz started seeing more possession of the ball in the attacking third.
They went close to pulling on back in the 54th minute, after Leon Bailey orchestrated a decent buildup in which he switched the attack to Michail Antonio, who whipped a one-time pass across the face of goal, but Nicholson was late in arriving at the far post.
As the Jamaicans continued to enjoy a good passage of play with Mexico at a lull, Antonio had the opportunity to hit the target from a solo run in the 75th minute. However, the West Ham United man was hesitant in pulling the trigger and the belated effort was charged down.
Both teams continued the probe for goals, the Jamaicans moreso, but while they came up empty in their hunt, Jaime Lozano’s side helped themselves to another. Poor defending by Damion Lowe allowed Gallardo a free run in the box to play a pass across the face of goal for Alvarado to tap in from close range in time added.
Teams: Jamaica- Andre Blake, Damion Lowe, Javain Brown (Dexter Lembikisa 51st), Kevon Lambert (Shamar Nicholson 46th), Bobby Reid, Amari'i Bell, Dishon Bernard, Joel Latibeaudiere (Daniel Johnson 85th), Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray, Michail Antonio (Dujuan Richards 85th)
Subs not used: Jahmali Waite, Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Adrian Mariappa, Kemar Lawrence, Jonathan Russell, Kaheem Parris, Corey Burke,
Booked: Brown (29th), Lambert (39th), Bernard (55th)
Mexico –Guillermo Ochoa, Jorge Sanchez, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, Erick Sanchez (Carlos Rodriguez 62nd), Luis Romo, Luis Chavez (Edson Alvarez 72nd), Uriel Antuna (Roberto Alvarado 72nd), Henry Martin (Santiago Gimenez 63rd), Orbelin Pineda (Diego Lainez 87th)
Subs not used: Antonio Rodriguez, Angel Malagon, Julian Araujo, Gerardo Arteaga, Ozziel Herrera, Israel Reyes, Victor Guzman
Booked: Antuna (61st), Alvarez (90th)
Referee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
Assistant referee: Luis Ventura (Guatemala); Humberto Panjoj (Guatemala)
Fourth Official: Bryan Lopez (Guatemala)
While signaling their interest to head back to the negotiation table, Patrick Smellie, president of the United Racehorse Trainers Association of Jamaica (URTAJ), chided local promoting company Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) for being unreasonable in blocking the race course which thwarted trainers from exercising their horses on Wednesday.
Smellie believes the move allegedly by SVREL to place two trucks across the track was their way of showing their discontent after stakeholders in the local horse racing sector rejected a $27-million purse increase offered on Tuesday.
By virtue of that rejection, owners, breeders, jockeys, trainers, and grooms withheld nomination of their horses for racing which resulted in the planned Saturday-Sunday race meets being cancelled.
"That (blocking the track) was totally unreasonable, unconscionable and possibly illegal. We had a meeting this morning while we were here and they came and removed the trucks and are now wetting the surface again which is a good sign that there is a possibility that we may be able to meet at the table again,” Smellie said.
Still, he pointed out that missing exercise could have an effect on the horses.
“It can affect the horse badly because this is not best practices for the animals anywhere in the world and we have spoken with our veterinarians here and they have agreed with us in total that this is not best practice at all. But we are glad that good sense has prevailed, they have removed the truck, and they are wetting and raking the track, so I assume the track will be reopened for exercise tomorrow (Thursday),” Smellie shared.
Smellie and other stakeholders based their rejection of the $27 million purse increase as unacceptable, arguing that SVREL has seen profits of $6.2 billion, but only want to distribute $5.3 billion.
According to Smellie, based on a deed signed by horsemen with SVREL from last year, they are supposed to receive 49 per cent of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR). This means that after sales and payout, horsemen are entitled to 49 per cent of what is left and SVREL would keep 51 per cent.
As such, he explained that of the $6.2 billion SVREL makes in sales, according to the regulatory agency, the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC), horsemen’s percentage would work out to $168 million and not the $27 million being offered.
On that note, the URTAJ president is awaiting word from the promoting company, inviting stakeholders back into negotiations to rectify the issue.
“They are supposed to call us today (Wednesday) or tomorrow (Thursday). Everybody knows we don't agree with their $5.3 billion because we are sticking to the $6.2 billion that the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission have gotten paid from them on their taxes.
“We are open to having dialogue, but our trainers will not be relenting. We are tired of this now, and when you see 120 trainers say no more, along with owners and grooms, then you know that everybody is united to the cause,” Smellie reasoned.
Meanwhile, SVREL in a release on Wednesday, said it is open for dialogue and stands ready to work with owners to have the earliest resumption of live racing.
“Since assuming oversight of Caymanas Park, SVREL, has made significant investments and undertaken extensive measures to improve the racing product and to develop a sustainable industry. Last year, in one such effort to improve the sustainability and stability of the industry, SVREL and key industry owners and trainers arrived at a milestone agreement whereby purses will be 49% of gross game revenue (GGR) on live racing,” the release explained.
“SVREL’s hope was, and still remains, that this GGR agreement will bring a measure of stability to the industry and so it is reiterating its readiness to continue discussions with the owners and trainers and other relevant stakeholders with a view to resolve the issue expeditiously. The company is steadfast in its commitment to horseracing and will continue to invest in the future of the industry,” it stated.
Another day, another poor performance from a West Indies team as India took firm control of the first Test in Dominica at the end of Wednesday’s opening day.
After Captain Kraig Brathwaite won the toss and chose to bat, the home side were bowled out for 150 in 64.3 overs. The West Indies batsmen were left in a spin as Ravichandran Ashwin took 5-60 and Ravindra Jadeja had figures of 3-26.
At stumps, India were 80-0, trailing by only 70 runs as Test debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 40. At the other end Rohit Sharma was not out 30. Neither batsman seemed troubled by a West Indies attack that lacked penetration.
The only thing redeeming about the West Indies was Alick Athanaze, who scored 47 to top score for the home side. Brathwaite got 20, which was the second-highest score for the West Indies.
Raheem Cornwall was not out on 19 when the West Indies innings came to an end.
As things stand, the West Indies bowlers have a long day ahead of them on Thursday.
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