LONG RUNNING TRAIN, A THOUSAND STARS RETIRED

The Complete Racing Guide can confirm that two of the top fillies in racing, the imported Long Running Train and A Thousand Stars have both been retired from racing. The two will now be heading to the breeding shed.

Trainer of Long Running Train, Ian Parsard made it clear that following a shoulder problem it was best for his outstanding filly to be retired.

“There is no doubt that Long Running Train is a good horse. She has shown that many times during her relatively short racing career.

“There are some health issues with her shoulders which makes it difficult to prepare her properly for competition, so I have made the decision to retire Long Running Train to hopefully become a successful broodmare,” Parsard said.

Parsard was also very sure as to which stallion will be servicing Long Running Train.

“That one is very easy, as Long Running Train will be put to our stallion, Bern Identity,” Parsard said. Long Running Train earned over $4.5 million in her career.

A Thousand Stars was just withdrawn from the Diamond Mile after it was found out that she was nursing an injury.

“ A Thousand Stars will not be racing any longer. She recently picked up an injury and even though the vet told me that she can recover and race again, I took the decision to retire her.

“At this early stage, I have not made up my mind as to which stallion I will send her to as there are some good options available and there is time,” the trainer of A Thousand Stars, Wayne DaCosta told the Complete Racing Guide.

A Thousand Stars’ greatest moment came in April of this year when she scored an upset win in the Jamaica Oaks beating overwhelming favourite, Nuclear Affair.

DIAMOND MILE EXCITEMENT

There was absolutely no doubt as to the effect of the Diamond Mile on all the professionals in racing. The Complete Racing Guide shares some of the comments from trainers and jockeys who won races on the day.

“This is the most auspicious day of racing at Caymanas Park for the year with the running of the Diamond Mile, the richest day in purse earnings. I had the plan to win this race and the jockey did a great job to get the day off to a flying start. It is a great day to win races since the purses are much better on this day” – Trainer Paul Hylton said after winning the first race on the Diamond Mile card with

Burlin.

“It is always good to win races, but a win on this day is golden, being the richest race day on the calendar” – Apprentice Natalie Berger after winning on board Burlin.

“The feeling is very nice. I am very happy to win a race on the Diamond Mile race day” – veteran trainer Enos Brown who watched as his charge Old Braeton won in a tight finish.

“To win a race on Diamond Mile Day is just amazing” – jockey Ruja Lahoe after winning on Old Braeton.

“The Diamond Mile is our biggest day of racing at present. It is always nice to win a race, whether it’s a $180,000 claiming or a maiden race. It’s the Diamond Mile event and each one of these is special. Today is a big day that you try and target all your horses to run at their best to try and win as many races as is possible” – trainer Anthony Nunes after scoring his second win on Diamond Mile day with Soy El Senor.

“So good to ride two winners on Diamond Mile Day. I am excited to be back in Jamaica riding in the Diamond Mile” – former champion jockey Dane Nelson.

“The win leaves me ecstatic, as it is always a great feeling to win even one race on a big race day such as the Diamond Mile that pays the richest purses “– trainer Gary Griffiths said after Night Light’s maiden win.

DIAMOND MILE HANDLE LESS THIS YEAR

Overall betting on both simulcast and overseas races on Diamond Mile day 2016 was below that of last year when the first Diamond Mile was run.

This year for local racing $62, 414,001 went through the betting stations at Caymanas Park and its off-track betting parlours across the island. This amount compares with a take of $66,370,811 last year.

In the overseas column $8,032,767 were collected this year compared with $9,147,223 in 2015.