Cicero’s Gift will step into the unknown as he lines up in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot next Tuesday.
Though unbeaten in three starts, trainer Charlie Hills is keen to see how the inexperienced Muhaarar colt fares against the likes of 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean and Paddington, who won the Irish version.
Cicero’s Gift has made rapid strides this spring and is a general 3-1 third favourite for the Group One mile contest, run on the round course.
A unfancied 22-1 chance on his debut in a Newbury novices’ race in October, he ran on well to score with ease and returned in March to take a restricted novice over an extended mile on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.
It was his five-and-a-half-length win in a conditions race at Goodwood last time that propelled him into the reckoning for a mouthwatering clash with a pair of Classic winners, however.
Hills said: “He did it really well at Goodwood last time.
“I was delighted with it. He has improved with every run he’s had.
“Mentally, he has taken a bit of a while to come to himself. Last year we were nice and patient with him. Physically he has strengthened up. His is nice-looking horse, similar to his dad, probably a little bit bigger version.
“It is hard to know where we stack up against the others, as we have come through a different route, but hopefully he will run well.”
The Faringdon Place handler is no stranger to recent success at the meeting. Dark Shift (2022) and Afaak (2019) landed the Royal Hunt Cup, while Battaash struck in the King’s Stand (2020).
“We might have quite a big Royal Ascot team – about 20-odd this time,” said Hills. “We are still finalising plans, but we have a nice team.”
Galeron, who was fourth in the 2000 Guineas, did not get the cleanest of runs behind Paddington at the Curragh. He also holds an entry in the St James’s Palace, but could go elsewhere.
Hills added: “Galeron has done very well and they are two nice horses. Cicero’s Gift is less exposed.
“I’m not sure what race Galeron will go for – he’s in the Hampton Court as well. He wasn’t beaten far at the Curragh and was a little bit unlucky not to be closer, as he didn’t get the room when he needed it, and we got a little bit too far back in the race.”
Orazio is the general 8-1 market leader for the Wokingham Handicap. He has won three of five starts on the turf, including the last two, with a clear-cut victory over the same six-furlong course last month filling Hills with every confidence he can complete a hat-trick.
“I’m looking forward to Orazio running,” Hills added. “He is in the Wokingham and he would have a good chance, I would have thought. I think there is a little bit of rain in the forecast, and any rain wouldn’t go amiss for him.
“It was nice to get a bit of course-and-distance form last time. He had a bit of a problem last year, so he had a year off. He is a lightly-raced horse and he is unexposed, too.
“It is always hard to win at the meeting. Just one winner would be nice and if I had to pick one, I think Orazio would have a good chance.”
Tanmawwy could join his stablemate in the same race, despite having been a well-held favourite at Newmarket last month.
“Tanmawwy would like a little bit of cut in the ground as well. He ran in the Buckingham Palace last year and seven furlongs was a bit too far,” said the trainer.
Khaadem similarly holds a Wokingham entry. The consistent seven-year-old won the Group Two King George Stakes at Goodwood last July before finishing fourth in the Nunthorpe at York.
Touched off under hold-up tactics on his return to action at Salisbury, Hills would like quicker ground for him.
He said: “I was delighted with his run last time at Salisbury. We were just trying to run him a bit differently and he hit the line really well.
“We have a couple of other entries in the King’s Stand and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, so we will just keep a weather watch.”
He added: “We also have a couple in the Britannia. Racingbreaks Ryder has won his last four starts and he might have a squeak. He won at Ascot last time over seven furlongs.
“Bodorgan, if he gets in, will have a chance in that as well. We have a couple of two-year-olds, but they have to step up from their last run, but we have a nice team and as always, we’re really looking forward to the meeting.”
'Family man' Dane Dawkins targets more success on return to Caymanas Park after productive Canada stint
Jockey Dane Dawkins is brimming with confidence and ready to showcase his improved form at Caymanas Park on Saturday, following a successful stint in Canada that saw him rack up 25 wins.
The former champion rider, known for his tenacity and skill in the saddle, started slowly at the North American track, but he eventually found his rhythm and returned with more victories under his belt than in his previous overseas campaign in 2019.
Dawkins, who competed primarily at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, admitted that the transition was initially challenging. However, his determination to make a mark and improve on his past performances pushed him through the difficult period.
With every race, he adjusted to the nuances of the track and the competition, and by the end of the season there, Dawkins had established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His 25 wins were complemented by 24 second-place finishes and 28 third-place finishes from 169 mounts, amassing an impressive CAD$288,149 (about $33.5 million Jamaican) in earnings.
“It was a tough start because it took a while for me to get comfortable and get to know the horses, but once I got into my groove after my first two months, everything started to click. Winning 25 races this time around was a big deal for me because I only won seven the last time I was there. It shows I’m learning and improving and once I started winning races, the trainers saw my true potential and started giving me more rides,” Dawkins told SportsMax.Tv.
Dawkins’ performances in Canada weren’t just about accumulating wins, the experience also sharpened his skills. With the renewed confidence, he is eager to bring that momentum back to Jamaica, where he now hopes to continue his winning streak at Caymanas Park, as he has secured four rides on Saturday’s card and another six for Sunday.
“I’m excited to be back at Caymanas. Riding in Canada helped me fine-tune my techniques and decision-making, and I want to use that to get more wins here. The goal is to build on what I’ve achieved and show that I’m a better rider than before,” the soft-spoken rider noted.
But Dawkins isn’t just focused on immediate success. The talented jockey has his eyes set on a long-term goal—winning more Classic races to cement his legacy in the sport.
For Dawkins, these prestigious events, such as the Jamaica Derby, the Jamaica Oaks, the 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, Jamaica Cup, Gold Cup and Mouttet Mile, are the pinnacle achievements for any Jamaican jockey, and he’s determined to consistently etch his name in the annals of the sport’s history.
With the season at Caymanas Park nearing its end, Dawkins return at this point in time will only allow him to challenge for the Gold Cup in October, the Jamaica Cup in November, and the lucrative Mouttet Mile in December.
“I want to consistently win those big races, the Classic races. That’s what every jockey targets in their career. Yes, I’ve won a few already, but you can’t get complacent at any time. You always have to keep pushing and putting in the work to continue getting those rides in the big races to make your mark in the sport,” he shared.
However, success on the track is only part of Dawkins’ motivation. A dedicated family man, he revealed that his greatest ambition is to ensure that his loved ones are well taken care of.
For him, the sacrifices he makes and the risks he takes are all in service of providing a better future for his family.
“At the end of the day, I ride to win and make a name for myself, but my family comes first. Every win, every achievement is for them. I just want to make my family proud and happy, and that’s what drives me to keep pushing myself and that’s what it’s all about,” Dawkins ended.
Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited returns as sponsor for 2024 Mouttet Mile Invitational
Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited (CPJ) has officially announced its continued partnership with Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) as a main sponsor of the 2024 Mouttet Mile Invitational, which will be held at Caymanas Park on December 7, 2024. The Grade One event, which features three-year-olds and upward competing over a mile (1,600m), will offer a historic purse of US$250,000.
As a premier food and beverage company in the Caribbean, CPJ's sponsorship marks its third year supporting this prestigious event. The Mouttet Mile has grown in prominence, drawing elite horses, jockeys, and racing enthusiasts from around the world. CPJ's backing will continue to ensure that the event maintains its reputation for high-quality entertainment, premium hospitality, and an elevated experience for racing fans.
Natesha Powell, Brand Manager of Spirits and Beverages at CPJ, highlighted the synergy between the Mouttet Mile and CPJ’s premium offerings. “This is our third year sponsoring the Mouttet Mile, and it’s a perfect fit for us," Powell said. "Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, and we wanted to bring that same prestige to Jamaica. Last year, we introduced Woodford Reserve at the event, and the feedback was phenomenal. This bourbon is relatively new to the Jamaican market, and there’s no better platform to showcase it than the Mouttet Mile.”
In addition to the main race day, CPJ will play a key role in the build-up to the event with a series of "Trail to the Mile" events. The first of these events, hosted by CPJ, is scheduled for September 28, 2024, and will feature a special Woodford Reserve tasting. These events will give fans a preview of the premium experience they can expect at the Mouttet Mile in December.
SVREL, the operators of Caymanas Park and promoters of the Mouttet Mile, expressed their satisfaction with CPJ's ongoing commitment. Christopher Wills, VP Operations at SVREL, shared his enthusiasm about CPJ’s continued involvement. "The SVREL team is pleased that the Mouttet Mile continues to attract corporate sponsors in the third staging of this unique entertainment product," Wills said. "We are excited to have CPJ back onboard with us for another year. Their premium brands are a big part of creating the elevated experience for our patrons. CPJ’s return as a sponsor for the third-year running is not only a good signal for the Mouttet Mile, but also a positive indicator of the growth potential of the horseracing industry in general."
As the Mouttet Mile Invitational grows into one of the Caribbean’s premier horse racing events, CPJ’s continued sponsorship, along with other corporate support, will play a crucial role in enhancing the fan experience and expanding the international reach of the event. With the combination of top-tier racing and premium entertainment, the 2024 Mouttet Mile promises to be a standout day at Caymanas Park.
American Jockey Arnaldo Bocachica to make historic Jamaican debut at Winston Griffiths Classic this weekend
Renowned American jockey Arnaldo Bocachica will grace Jamaican soil for the first time this weekend as he prepares to compete in the prestigious Winston Griffiths Classic at Caymanas Park.
With over 15 years of experience at top-tier tracks and multiple awards to his name, Bocachica is set to make waves among horse racing enthusiasts in Jamaica with his entry into this year’s race.
Having built a stellar career in the United States and established himself as one of the sport’s top jockeys, Bocachica is recognized for his tactical precision and consistent performances.
His participation in the Winston Griffiths Classic marks a milestone in his career and brings an international spotlight to the event.
“I am incredibly excited to be racing in Jamaica for the first time,” said Bocachica. “I’ve heard so
much about the country’s vibrant horse racing culture, and I’m honoured to be part of such an
important event as the Winston Griffiths Classic.”
The Winston Griffiths Classic, named after the legendary Jamaican jockey Winston “Fanna” Griffiths, is one of the island’s most anticipated annual racing events.
Bocachica will be riding against some of Jamaica’s finest jockeys, making for an exhilarating weekend of competition at Caymanas Park.
The weekend of racing on September 7-8 promises to deliver high-energy performances, with Bocachica’s appearance adding international flair to the line-up.
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