The Complete Racing Guide has been informed that the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) will be hosting a special awards ceremony on Friday November 13 at the Jade Garden Restaurant in St Andrew.

While the categories and list of awardees are not known as yet, the Complete Racing Guide understands that the aim of the function is to honour organisations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport of horse racing in Jamaica.

The proposed TOBA awards ceremony falls during the week of the Burger King-sponsored Superstakes which is scheduled for Saturday November 14.

TOBA’s stellar attraction, the annual Yearling Sales, is set to begin at 10:00 am on Sunday November 15 in the official carpark at Caymanas Park.

Based on the official Yearling Sales programme, 158 horses have been entered to go through the sales ring. This year’s figure of entrants compares with 166 offered last year, a decrease of eight yearlings. In 2103, again based on TOBA’s official programme, 157 yearlings were on offer.

The index of sires in the official programme indicates that three new stallions will have their progeny at the sale: Emperor Hall, Restless Mon and Strikewhileitshot.

SIX HORSES CLAIMED ON WEDNESDAY

Six claims were made on the 10-race programme on Wednesday.

In the sixth race on an $180,000 claiming tag, John De Linjah was claimed from Raymond Townsend by Tyrone Prince for Michael Ray.

Oneil Markland claimed Lord Storm for himself from Lorne Kirlew for $350,000 from the seventh race.

In the ninth event, the Wayne DaCosta – trained Dinner By Seven was claimed by Steven Todd for Garth Samuels for $550,000; Sunlight Express was claimed from Donovan Plummer by Phillip Lee for Ripon Racing Stables for $550,000, and Winston Morris took back Force De Jour for Arthur Foreman for $550,000 from Robert Darby Snr.

No Coincidence was claimed from Phillip Lee by Delroy Spencer for himself for $180,000 from the 10th and final race.

SIX-PACK FOR FORCE DE JOUR

Horse of the moment Force De Jour completed his sixth consecutive victory when he won a $550,000-$500,000 claiming event over 1,100 metres on Wednesday.

Force De Jour stepped up the ladder to a $550,000-$500,000 claiming with apprentice Bebeto Harvey riding for Robert Darby Snr, and cruised home in 1:06:4 minutes going over 1,100 metres.

The importee now boasts a record of seven wins, one second-place finish and two thirds from 13 starts this season with earnings of $2,626,750.

APPRENTICE STEADMAN TAKES THREE

Linton Steadman became the first rider in this batch of apprentices to ride three winners on a single race programme at Caymanas Park on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Steadman won aboard Sir Biggs in the third race for trainer Donovan Plummer, Express Truck for trainer Steven Todd in the sixth race, and Pocket Money for trainer Ryan Darby in the 10th.

“To win three races on a single programme is just wonderful for me right now. At the moment, I am the happiest person on Earth. I must thank everyone for their support and will continue to do the hard work in making everyone proud,” Steadman told the Complete Racing Guide.