Ballyburn heads a Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle line up dominated by Willie Mullins-trained contenders.
The six-year-old has been beaten just once in five runs under rules, winning two bumpers before coming home behind Gordon Elliott’s Firefox on his hurdling debut.
Next time out he won a Leopardstown maiden by 25 lengths and then followed that success up with another at Grade One level when taking the Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle by seven lengths from Slade Steel.
The latter run was over two miles, but the one before came at two and a half and the bay, who is a three-mile point to point winner, will step up a furlong at Cheltenham.
“Ballyburn is starting to walk the walk and I hope he can go close on Wednesday,” Mullins said.
“His pedigree suggests that he shouldn’t have any problem staying this trip.”
Paul Townend will be aboard as he has been on each of the horse’s hurdling starts and he was relishing the ride whether connections had opted for this race or the shorter Supreme.
He said: “Whether he turned up Tuesday or Wednesday, he was one I was looking forward to.
“I believe he has scared off a lot of them and it’s a bit of a Willie Mullins show.”
Mullins is set to field four further runners, including the Tony Bloom-owned Ile Atlantique.
The gelding won his hurdling debut by 25 lengths and was last seen finishing second by a neck to Readin Tommy Wrong in the Grade One Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles.
“He’s been great, it was a Grade One race that he ran in at Naas and I suppose he ended up doing all the donkey work and set the race up for Readin Tommy Wrong,” said Sean Graham, racing manager to Bloom.
“He had a hard enough race that day, so we decided to miss the Dublin Racing Festival and go straight to Cheltenham. This race was always the plan because we think the trip will suit him.
“Four weeks ago I wasn’t thinking Ballyburn would run in the race, so we could be racing for a bit of placed prize money rather than win prize money.
“People don’t want to take on short-priced horses as they think there’s no point in turning up, yet year after year you see so many of them beaten.
“We’re going into the race with a horse in great form, who’ll do his absolute best, the cards could fall our way.
“Ballyburn would have to under perform for us to win but these things can happen.”
Mullins will also saddle Predators Gold, who finished second at Leopardstown in both the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle and the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle, two Grade One contests.
The former run was over two miles and the latter over two miles and six and a half furlongs, leaving him well proven in terms of stamina ahead of his Cheltenham start.
Mercurey, first in a Punchestown maiden hurdle when last seen, is also entered for the yard alongside Clonmel winner Jimmy Du Seuil.
The British challenge is led by Ben Pauling and Handstands, a five-year-old gelding unbeaten in three runs under rules as well as a point to point.
His most recent success was a length-and-a-half defeat of Nicky Henderson’s well-regarded Jango Baie in the Listed Sidney Banks at Huntingdon.
He was ridden by Harry Cobden for the first time on occasion and the same jockey retains the ride and will take up the reins at Cheltenham.
“He has come through all his preparations in good order and, all being well, goes there with a chance,” said Pauling.
“He won without being fully extended at Huntingdon which is an exciting thing. We don’t really know where the ceiling is with this fella but I’m sure we’ll find out on Wednesday.”
Of the jockey booking, Pauling added: “It’s not been an easy decision. Woodsy (Kielan Woods, stable jockey) has never sat on him and Ben Jones did brilliantly on him (at Newcastle) but was unfortunately banned for the Sidney Banks.
“This is not a fact that I don’t have faith in my boys because I do, but it was very much the belief of the owner Tim Radford that Harry hadn’t a ride in the race, had won the Sidney Banks on him and we should probably keep him straight.”
Henderson’s Jingko Blue and Harriet Dickin’s The Grey Man both represent the home side and complete the field.
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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