CHAIRMAN of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) Solomon Sharpe says the introduction of the ultra-rich Mouttet Mile could change the sport for the better.

The fact that the Mouttet Mile (invitational) carries a total purse of US$125,000 ($18 million) makes this the largest purse for a single event offered at Caymanas Park. Along with the historic Mouttet Mile set for December 3, 2022 another new event, the Chairman’s Plate worth US$25,000 ($3 million), will also be staged over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m) for qualified horses at the Overnight Allowance level.

The Mouttet Mile takes its name from its main sponsor Paul Mouttet, chairman of Trinidad and Tobago-based Zodiac Caribbean Ventures Limited which is currently the largest shareholder of SVREL’s mother company, Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL).

SVREL is the sole promoter of horse racing in Jamaica.

“I think this [Mouttet Mile] is a turning point for Caymanas Park. I think Caymanas Park, at 63 years old, has had some great races. We have seen the evolution — we have seen the Superstakes; we have seen the Triple Crown series; plus we got the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission to step up and give us the Diamond Mile. Now, the Mouttet Mile has increased purses.

“There’s a big secondary feature in the Chairman’s Plate and so those two races alone are worth $21 million, and when you add the undercard the total value of purses is over $30 million on the day, and I think we are going places,” Sharpe told the Jamaica Observer during the post-position draw for both the Mouttet Mile and the Chairman’s Plate at the ROK Hotel in Kingston on Monday, November 28, 2022.

“We have picked up some interest overseas, through media partners, and we also have some announcements to make,” Sharpe continued.”We’ll also be at the global racing symposium next week to continue to improve this product so we’ll enjoy it for a while before getting back to work on Sunday morning.”

Meanwhile, the favourite for the Mouttet Mile, Atomica, was drawn seventh in a field of 16 horses. Trainer Gary Subratie has pushed all the right buttons on Atomica thus far. He watched his brilliant filly win the Jamaica 1000 Guineas, the Jamaica Derby, and the Jamaica Cup. Atomica will have a stablemate and top stayer in Calculus for the company that was assigned post 11 in the standings.

Trainer Ian Parsard will saddle the main threats to Atomica in the top-rated event, including Mahogany and the improving Jordon Reign’s for whom the journey of a mile will be suitable. Mahogany, who drew post three, won the Gold Cup over seven furlongs (1,400m) coming into this race while Jordon Reign’s, who was fourth in the Gold Cup, drew post four.

“I think the post position draws are fine — thank God you try to avoid the inside draws like one and two — and so we have drawn at three and four so we are quite okay with the draws and hopefully the jockeys will make good use of them,” Parsard said of his runners.

Other entries that should be competitive in the race are the Dale Murphy-trained Runaway Algo, who drew post six, and Patrick Lynch’s Blue Vinyl who drew post 16.

Current leading trainer Jason DaCosta will saddle five runners in the line-up — She’s My Destiny (post one); Make Up Artis (post eight); I Am Fred (post 12); King Arthur (post 14); and Eagle One (post 15), while champion trainer Anthony Nunes only has Oneofakind (post two) to carry his stable’s flag.