The road to the 2025 Classic season took a decisive turn on Saturday as Honour Prince and Hansa established themselves as frontrunners in this year’s three-year-old campaign as they stamped their authority in their respective divisions of the seven-furlong Prince Consort Stakes and Thornbird Stakes at Caymanas Park.
In a day of drama and determination, the Robert Pearson-trained Honour Prince secured a controversial victory in the Prince Consort Stakes, awarded the race following a lengthy steward’s inquiry. On the distaff side, Richard Azan’s Hansa delivered a stirring late surge to win the Thornbird Stakes, as she produced a powerful late kick that hinted at even bigger things to come.
Sent off at odds of 9-2, Honour Prince looked like he would settle for second-best after a rough stretch duel with Runaway Star, but the result on paper belied what unfolded on the track.
Breaking smartly under Phillip Parchment, Honour Prince was content to stalk the early pace set by Strong Mind (Ian Spence), Prince Roy (Richard Henry), and I Dream Again (Robert Halledeen). As the race approached the far turn, the front-runners began to tire, opening the door for both Honour Prince and Runaway Star, who swept by to take command of the contest in the homestretch.
Runaway Star, ridden by Raddesh Roman, initially pulled ahead but drifted inward, cutting off Honour Prince’s momentum just as the latter was winding into top gear. Despite being forced to switch lanes and rally again, Honour Prince fought gamely to the line, only to come up narrowly short.
That, however, was not the end of the story.
Parchment immediately lodged an objection, and after careful deliberation, the stewards agreed, and Runaway Star was disqualified for interference and intimidation, handing the race to Honour Prince, a Bern Identity – Awesome Lucy colt owned and bred by Peniel.
Mark My Identity (Demar Williams) and I Dream Again rounded out the top four. The final time was 1:28.3, with splits of 24.1, 49.0, and 1:14.4 over the seven furlongs.
Hansa being pushed out by Tajay Suckoo. (Photos: Caymanas Racing)
Meanwhile, Hansa’s triumph in the Thornbird Stakes was built on pure grit and timing.
Ridden by promising apprentice Tajay Suckoo, the Nya-owned filly sat off the early pace that was set by Miss Moneypenny (Shane Ellis) and Linguist (Reyan Lewis), who gave way just before the final turn to Social Aviator (Robert Halledeen), who made an early move and looked poised to steal the race.
But as the field straightened, the Azan-trained duo of Hansa and Danka (Romane Gordon) emerged with purpose. Hansa, running on the outside, shifted into another gear to power away and win by one and three-quarter lengths.
Social Aviator stayed on gamely for second, while Danka nabbed third. The heavily favoured Burning Hedge (Demar Williams) was a shadow of expectations, finishing a disappointing fourth.
Hansa, a daughter of Successful Native—Cape, stopped the clock in 1:28.3, matching Honour Prince’s time, with sectional splits of 24.1, 48.4, and 1:15.0.
Suckoo was not done after the Thornbird, as he returned in the ninth race to land a second win aboard Fearless Force, trained by Phillip Feanny. The veteran conditioner also saddled Impressive Force to victory in the eighth.
Saturday’s doubleheader served as an early preview of what is shaping up to be a thrilling Classic season, with both Honour Prince and Hansa now likely headed to the Kingston and Portmore Stakes, the final preps before the prestigious 2000 and 1000 Guineas, respectively.