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• Richards and Campbell dominate Jamaica Rifle Association’s Jamaica Cup shoot in Kingston

  Darin Richards and Yeonie Campbell claimed top honors at the Jamaica Rifle Association’s (JRA) Jamaica Cup IPSC Level 3 shoot, held at the JRA's head office and shooting range on Mountain View Avenue in Kingston. The event, a qualifier for the 2025 IPSC World Cup in South Africa, drew fierce competition as shooters battled under scorching conditions for coveted spots on the national team.

  Richards took home the title in the Standard Division, a win he credited to his disciplined approach to mastering steel targets. “It was very awesome. The stages were very challenging," Richards said, describing the intensity of the competition. "I personally had some issues but was determined. I did my best, and I thank God I won my division.” His focused preparation paid off, earning him 741.42 points ahead of Paul Dixon, who scored 711.12, and Thomas Jones with 681.69.

  

  In the Production Division, Campbell, also the JRA's pistol captain and match director, secured the win with an impressive 766.90 points. Balancing her roles as organizer and competitor, she described the experience as both rewarding and intense. “It was very pressuring. I had to organize the match itself...The team of us worked very hard to put on the production, and I am glad it came across very well,” Campbell shared, noting that winning her division made the effort all the more fulfilling. Campbell finished ahead of Sanjay Wilson (709.32) and Josimar Clarke (689.36).

  

  Other notable performances included Ryan Bramwell’s victory in the Production Optics Division, scoring 1049.81 points. Bramwell, a seasoned competitor who made a switch to Production Optics for the event, comfortably outscored Chris Hart (946.20) and Adrian Randle (946.02). Alrice Palmer dominated the Open Division, scoring 1011.28 points, while Petrano Belafonte (971.93) and Alvin More (964.49) finished in second and third, respectively.

  JRA President Rohan Wilson praised the event, noting its success since its inception in 2015. “I am very grateful that it was a safe day. I am very grateful that everyone came out and enjoyed it,” Wilson said. “The weather, the heat was grueling, but all in all, it was a successful day. The sport of practical pistol is still a very relevant sport.”

  Island Car Rentals, the event’s main sponsor, supported this year’s Jamaica Cup IPSC Level 3 shoot, adding further prestige to an already impactful competition.

• 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.