Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington bids for a triumphant return to Ascot in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
The three-year-old has enjoyed an immense run of form through the season, winning a string of races that carried him from a Naas handicap to a Group One four-timer that included the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the St James’s Palace, the Coral-Eclipse and the Sussex Stakes.
His sole defeat of the season, and only the second loss of his career, came at York in the Juddmonte International as he came home third behind Mostahdaf and Nashwa.
That was in August and the Siyouni colt has not been seen on course since, meaning he will arrive at Ascot a fresh horse as he looks to regain the winning thread.
“Obviously he’s had a very busy year and it was nice for him to get a little bit of time after his last run,” O’Brien told Sky Sports Racing.
“Everything has been really good with him and everyone seems very happy with him.
“We were very happy with his run at York, it was a great run.
“Frankie (Dettori, on Mostahdaf) went a very strong gallop out in front, Ryan (Moore) just let our horse relax and he came home very well but just didn’t catch him.
“It’s a very strong, competitive race, which is what you would expect and want.”
John and Thady Gosden’s Nashwa swerved the Champion Stakes to drop back to a mile after her fine effort on the Knavesmire.
The Frankel filly has form over both trips having won the Falmouth Stakes in July and arrives at Ascot off the back of two valiant runs in defeat in both the Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes.
She will be ridden as ever by owner Imad Al Sagar’s retained jockey Hollie Doyle, who said: “It really hasn’t mattered to me which race they chose.
“Nashwa seems just as good at a mile as a mile and a quarter, so the trip doesn’t seem to be an issue, and she goes on any ground. She’d have had a right shout in either of them.
“She’s been great lately when placed against the colts in the Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes, and those two runs have been close to her career best.
“Physically she does well year in, year out, and she’s really stepped forward again this year. The figures say she’s improved significantly again, which is mad, so I’m delighted she’s staying in training.”
Ground permitting, Dermot Weld hopes to saddle the Aga Khan’s brilliant filly Tahiyra, whose season has so far involved victories in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the Coronation Stakes and the Matron Stakes.
There are also a pair of French-trained contenders in Christopher Head’s Big Rock and Jerome Reynier’s Facteur Cheval.
The latter was beaten just a head in the Prix d’Ispahan in May and then gave Paddington a race to finish second behind him when carrying 7lb more on soft ground in the Sussex at Goodwood.
Such conditions are no hindrance to the horse and Reynier is looking forward to seeing his gelding take his chance against a quality field.
“All lights are green, the only question mark is the straight course as he’s never been racing on one, but he handles the soft ground,” he said.
“He was racing against Paddington in the Sussex and he was carrying much more weight that day, it’s always been the plan to angle the season around this race.
“We are happy, he is very consistent and he is a lovely horse.
“We can only hope for the best, it is a very competitive race and it’s very exciting to have a runner in what is probably the best race of the year.
“We don’t mind any ground with him, he is such a consistent individual and we are happy with the conditions.
“Paddington has had a bit of a rest and is nice and fresh, him and Big Rock are two horses that are ridden prominently so if we can keep up and follow them, that would be a good thing.”
Andrew Balding is represented by Chaldean, the 2000 Guineas winner who was then second behind Paddington at the Royal meeting.
The chestnut’s next outing was a beaten effort in the Prix Jean Prat, where he was seventh, but that was in early July so the horse has had a good break since.
Barry Mahon, of owners Juddmonte, said: “His work is very good and Andrew and the team are very happy with him.
“In fairness to Oisin (Murphy, replaced by Frankie Dettori), he’s been a great help the last few weeks riding him in his work and everyone seems very happy with the horse.
“In terms of the ground, we know we handle soft ground, whether we handle heavy ground or not will be another question, but he’s in very good form, he’s had a good break and his form from earlier in the year is up there with the best of them.
“It’s a top-class race, as you’d expect on Champions Day, and any of one of them would be plausible winners.”
Ralph Beckett will saddle Angel Bleu after a supplementary entry for a final run before his racing career comes to a close and he heads off to stand as a stallion in France.
Beckett said: “It’s going to be tough, but he’s in very good form and when the ground became soft we made the decision to supplement. The ground will even everything up as he is a proven soft-ground performer, unlike some of the others.
“This will be his last race as he is off to stud at the French operation of his new part owner Nurlan Bizakov.”
Tom Clover’s Rogue Millennium, winner of the Duke of Cambridge at the Royal fixture, William Knight’s Checkandchallenge, Kevin Ryan’s Hi Royal and the Gosdens’ Epictetus complete the 11-strong field.
SVREL chairman calls for urgent reforms in stewarding after Heroes’ Day disruption at Caymanas Park
Following an internal investigation by Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), significant gaps in training have been identified, leading to stewarding practices at Caymanas Park falling short of international standards. As a result, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe has called for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to address these issues and ensure the future integrity of horse racing in Jamaica.
The investigation was prompted after the Heroes’ Day race meet at Caymanas Park was abandoned on Monday, October 21, 2024. A group of punters reacted violently to the stewards’ decision in Race 2, leading to the event’s cancellation for safety reasons. Sharpe stressed that the current state of officiating is not up to par for a racing jurisdiction aspiring to world-class status.
“Our internal investigation has identified significant training gaps that have resulted in local stewarding practices falling short of international standards,” Sharpe said. He explained that while SVREL provides the facilities for racing, the stewards' oversight falls under the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), a government-appointed body. Sharpe believes this disparity between local and international standards must be addressed immediately.
In his statement, Sharpe emphasized that improving stewarding standards is critical for the growth of horse racing in Jamaica. He called for the implementation of mandatory certification programs for stewards, ensuring that they are properly trained to handle the complexities of modern racing. He also advocated for regular assessments and retraining of officials to maintain a high level of competence and consistency in their decision-making.
Sharpe further stressed the need for clear accountability frameworks to be established, so that all decisions made by stewards are transparent and based on consistent, well-defined criteria. This, he believes, would help avoid situations like the one on Heroes’ Day, where the lack of clarity led to confusion and frustration among punters. Moreover, Sharpe called for the introduction of an independent appeals mechanism that would allow for the review of stewarding decisions, ensuring fairness and trust in the system.
Sharpe explained that these reforms are essential to creating a level playing field and restoring confidence in the integrity of horse racing at Caymanas Park. He expressed frustration that despite previous discussions with the JRC about the need for improved officiating, little progress has been made.
The incident on Heroes’ Day, which caused significant financial losses estimated at over JMD$70 million, underscored the importance of addressing these issues urgently. While Sharpe acknowledged the passion of racing fans, he firmly condemned the violent behaviour that followed the stewards' decision, stating that it endangered lives and tarnished the reputation of the sport. "While we value our patrons' enthusiasm, any expression of discontent must remain within acceptable bounds of sporting behaviour,” he asserted.
Sharpe also expressed disappointment with the lack of response from industry stakeholders following the incident. He pointed out that many who are typically vocal about SVREL’s operations have remained silent on this serious breach of sporting conduct. He called on all stakeholders to take equal responsibility for the sport’s integrity and to advocate for improvements in officiating and the overall management of races.
“The growth and sustainability of horse racing in Jamaica require more than just infrastructure investment and promotional efforts,” Sharpe said. “It demands the consistent application of international best practices across all aspects of racing.”
SVREL remains committed to modernizing Caymanas Park and advancing Jamaican horse racing. However, Sharpe made it clear that this vision can only be achieved through collective responsibility, with all stakeholders playing an active role in improving the industry’s standards and holding each other accountable.
“The time has come for all stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to the industry's growth not merely through words, but through actions, consistent engagement, and a willingness to address difficult issues head-on,” Sharpe concluded.
SVREL apologizes for disruption and cancellation of Heroes' Day Race Meet at Caymanas Park
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has issued an apology to its customers and stakeholders following the cancellation of Monday’s Heroes' Day race meet at Caymanas Park. The cancellation came after a series of disruptions stemming from the disqualification of the first-place finisher in Race 2, which caused unrest among some punters at the track.
In a statement, SVREL explained the incident: "On Monday, October 21, 2024, a series of unfortunate events led to the disruption and subsequent cancellation of races at Caymanas Park by the Jamaica Racing Commission Stewards."
The unrest began when the stewards' decision in Race 2 led to the disqualification of the initial winner. Displeased with the result, some punters expressed their dissatisfaction by throwing debris, creating an unsafe environment for patrons, participants, and horses.
"After the announcement of the race results, some punters became agitated and expressed their dissatisfaction in a manner that compromised the safety and security of all present. This included the throwing of debris across the Park, creating an unsafe environment for patrons, participants, and horses alike," the statement continued.
As the situation grew more volatile, trainers began voicing concerns for their safety, leading to the cancellation of subsequent races.
"In light of this development and prioritizing the safety of the horses, horsemen, punters, and all attendees, the stewards made the decision to abandon race 4 and subsequently, the entire race meet for the day," SVREL said.
The company further emphasized that security personnel, supported by the police, were working to manage the situation and prevent any further escalation.
SVREL concluded by offering a formal apology for the inconvenience caused: "Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited, the operator of Caymanas Park, extends our sincerest apologies to our valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of the race meet."
The company reiterated its commitment to the safety of all involved in the sport, while promising to address the issues that led to the disruption.
Caymanas Park set for growth through international investment
Jamaica's premier horse racing venue is poised for significant growth and more international recognition, thanks to a strategic partnership with the New York Racing Association (NYRA). This collaboration, ignited by the improvement being done at the park by operators Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) over the past seven, potentially marks a turning point for the Jamaican horse racing industry.
In a major boost to the Caymanas Park's profile, NYRA and FOX Sports have committed to a two-year agreement to broadcast the prestigious Mouttet Mile Invitational live in the USA. This partnership renewal comes after the resounding success of the 2023 Mouttet Mile Invitational which was televised live for the first time on FOX Sports.
SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed his joy with the development. “Since SVREL has been at the helm of operations at Caymanas Park, we’ve made US multi-million-dollar investments into the product and the infrastructure as we strongly believe in the value of horseracing as an industry. We are very excited to have NYRA see the gem that Caymanas Park is and for them to step up and commit to investing in the product to help bring the sport to international racing fans. By all accounts, last year’s broadcast on FOX Sports was a hit. Racing fans from NY to California fell in love with the energy of racing at Caymanas Park and so we’re very pleased to have FOX and NYRA back on board for not just this year but also the 2025 Mouttet Mile. The potential for the growth of the local industry with the exposure and support from NYRA and FOX is limitless.”
Sharpe has consistently shared his vision for the facility to become the premier destination for sports and entertainment in the Caribbean.
In addition to broadcasting the next two editions of the Mouttet Mile, FOX Sports also stated that the extended coverage will showcase not only the world-class racing at Caymanas Park but also the venue's unique and electric atmosphere brought by the passionate racing fans. The partnership will also officially make the linkage between sports and tourism by including Jamaica’s natural beauty and historical sites in the broadcast partnership. They will also be showcasing not only the racing but the passion of the fans at Caymanas Park who add to the unique energy at the iconic venue.
Overseas punters are not to be left out as NYRA will offer a special Pick 5 wager that includes not only two graded stakes at Caymanas Park, including the Mouttet Mile but also the prestigious Cigar Mile at Aqueduct—a Grade 1 race with a purse of US$750,000.
"NYRA is looking to host an inter tote wagering double race with the Mouttet Mile and the Cigar Mile. Interest in the Mouttet Mile and by extension, Caymanas Park, has spread from coast to coast in the USA. Making betting on the Mouttet Mile accessible in the USA is a great achievement and it takes us closer to realising the ultimate goal of having the race included in the World Pool,” said Sharpe.
He also hinted at a possible purse increase for next year's Mouttet Mile.
The Mouttet Mile Invitational is a Grade One event for three-year-olds and upward going over a mile (1,600m) and in successive years has set the record for the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean. The 2024 purse is set at a historic US $250,000. The 3rd Running of the Mouttet Mile is scheduled for December 7.
This year’s staging is already shaping up to be an exciting affair with early interest from 7 prominent overseas-based horses and two local horses already earning their automatic spots in an exciting Win and You’re In promotion by copping wins in The Jamaica Derby (Gr. 1) and the Philip Feanny OD Gold Cup (Gr. 1). The final Win & You’re In instalments are The Jamaica Cup (Gr. 1) and Port Royal Sprint (Gr. 3) scheduled for November 9.
The collaboration between Caymanas Park and NYRA represents a significant milestone for Jamaica's horse racing industry.
Sharpe concluded “Over the past few years we’ve been able to attract some local corporate sponsors which we see as an endorsement of SVREL’s efforts to elevate horseracing and create a thriving ecosystem around it. This endorsement by an organization like NYRA bodes well for the future of racing and we can’t wait to welcome even more international partners on board as we grow a sustainable product. All of this happening in Caymanas Park’s 65th anniversary year makes it extra special.”
Building on the solid groundwork laid by SVREL's investments and innovations, this partnership with NYRA is expected to bring new opportunities, increased investment, and a higher international profile to Jamaican horse racing.
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