State Man will take the first step on the path back to the Champion Hurdle when he defends his Unibet Morgiana Hurdle title at Punchestown on Saturday.
The two-mile Grade One has been dominated by his trainer Willie Mullins, who has won the race 12 times in total and in every year barring 2020 since Thousand Stars struck in 2011.
Hurricane Fly won this three times, and now State Man has the chance to join the list of Closutton champions to score twice in the Saturday feature of Punchestown’s Winter Festival, joining the likes of Nichols Canyon and Sharjah.
A winner of seven of his 10 career starts, State Man ran out a decisive four-length scorer 12 months ago before claiming a further three Grade One contests on home soil, during a campaign which also included a second to Constitution Hill at Cheltenham, and connections are confident he can once again cement his position as Ireland’s leading two-mile hurdler.
“State Man had a brilliant season last year apart from running into Constitution Hill,” said State Man’s jockey Paul Townend, who is searching for his fourth win in the race and will also partner Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan on Sunday.
“Hopefully we can get on the board in the Grade One races and look forward to the rest of the winter after that.”
Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, added: “It’s obviously a fascinating race and often has a small field with two or three good horses.
“Hurricane Fly won it plenty and State Man won it last year. He made the running last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has to make it again, but it doesn’t bother him, he’s well able to jump and well able to make his own running.
“He should be up to winning it and on ratings he is well clear of Pied Piper and Echoes In Rain. He worked very well at the Curragh on Tuesday and it’s an ideal place to start the season.”
Joining State Man in the line-up is Closutton stablemate Echoes In Rain, who has been kept busy on the Flat since scoring at the track in the spring, while Gordon Elliott is responsible for the other two contenders, Pied Piper and Fils D’oudairies.
The former arrives fighting fit after being touched off in the Cesarewitch and Joey Logan, racing manager for owners Caldwell Construction Ltd, is hopeful he will get his moment in the spotlight following some narrow reversals at the biggest meetings in both codes.
He said: “He worked on Wednesday and we were very happy with him. Obviously it is a very tough race with State Man and Willie’s other horse is in it.
“He’s had a run in Newmarket and hopefully it can prepare him for his jumping season.
“He’s in a tough position and he’s been quite an unlucky horse. He was beaten a nose at Cheltenham (County Hurdle), dead-heated at Aintree (as a novice), got no luck at Royal Ascot and was touched off at Newmarket (in the Cesarewitch). There are not too many horses that can do what he’s after doing.”
Elsewhere on the card, dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner Flooring Porter runs right-handed for the first time in over two and a a half years in the Liam & Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Chase.
Gavin Cromwell’s Cheltenham Festival hero made a seamless switch to the larger obstacles at Prestbury Park last month and his achievements over timber set the standard in a Grade Two with a deep appearance.
“He is an older and wiser horse and a little bit more manageable nowadays so we’ll give it a go,” said Cromwell of Flooring Porter’s return to Punchestown’s right-handed set-up.
“It is a good big, galloping track so hopefully he’ll be OK. He has really taken to chasing and loves it. He has plenty of scope for a horse that is not very big and hopefully the future is bright for him.”
Noel Meade’s Affordale Fury accounted for Favori De Champdou when they met at Galway on their respective chasing bows and the Albert Bartlett runner-up is another high-class operator in the field, as is Sandor Clegane, who was a place behind Affordale Fury at the Festival in March.
Paul Nolan’s six-year-old bumped into some useful looking rivals when making his fences debut over two miles and his handler is eager to see a clean round of jumping as he returns to a more appropriate staying trip.
“It is a very, very good race and even though it is over the three miles, with Flooring Porter in it, it is going to be a truly-run race,” said Nolan.
“He’s going to have to jump very well and he’s still a maiden going into it. They have all had one or maximum of two runs over fences so we’re just hoping that he will jump well and he will come out of the race giving us nice plans to make for the future.
“We had an official mark of 141 (over hurdles) and Flooring Porter is 156. He’s spent extra years over hurdles and is a multiple Stayers’ Hurdle winner. He’s not the only good horse in it and it’s a decent race, but I think our lad is a three-miler and I just hope he will jump well.”
iPrint joins forces with SVREL as Billboard Advertising Partner for Mouttet Mile 2024
iPrint is the latest corporate entity to signal its support for 2024 Mouttet Mile by coming onboard as the official billboard advertising partner for the event.
The partnership will see iPrint amplifying the event’s visibility with a series of impactful promotional displays on its traditional and electronic billboards across Kingston and St. Catherine.
“We’re proud to welcome iPrint on board as our advertising partner for the Mouttet Mile. Their expertise in outdoor advertising brings significant visibility and will help to raise public awareness and excitement for the event. We know their placements will reach thousands of potential attendees and will increase the anticipation and excitement for Jamaica’s premier racing event across key areas in Kingston and St. Catherine,” Aswanda Stoddart, SVREL AVP Administration, said.
iPrint’s involvement demonstrates its commitment to supporting Jamaica’s vibrant sports and entertainment scene and aligns with the company’s dedication to innovative advertising solutions that engage the community and bring high-profile events to the forefront.
“The efforts of SVREL in organizing and delivering this exceptional event, which not only elevates the profile of sports in Jamaica but also garners global attention through live broadcasts, are truly commendable,” said Mark Haddad, Sales Director at iprint Group of Companies.
“Supporting the Mouttet Mile aligns perfectly with the vision of enhancing and showcasing Brand Jamaica on the world stage. By collaborating with this diverse and prestigious event, we have a unique opportunity to amplify Jamaica’s cultural and sporting legacy. It is only fitting that we pledge our continued support to ensure the sustained success of the Mouttet Mile for many years to come, further solidifying Jamaica’s reputation as a hub of excellence and innovation,” he added.
SVREL and iPrint look forward to a successful collaboration that brings even more excitement to this year’s Mouttet Mile set for December 7 at Caymanas Park.
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.
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