Dr Simone Martin-Shaw, senior veterinary officer of the Veterinary Services Division, says her organisation’s goal is to assist stakeholders, notably overseas horses for racing, by ensuring all relevant requirements are satisfied prior to entry in Jamaica.

The Mouttet Mile, the Caribbean’s most anticipated race day, has garnered a lot of international interest.

Highlighting the success achieved in just two years were the increased support from corporate Jamaica, a growing number of overseas entrants and jockeys, and the pivotal partnership between Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) and the New York Racing Association to broadcast the Mouttet Mile live on FOX Sports.

Dr Martin-Shaw said that there are international entry requirements for participating in the race, and her division is available for discussion and assistance to ensure a smooth process for international participants.

“I think this race is important in terms of economic development for the country and also broadening the standard of horses we have here in the country in terms of racing,” Dr Martin-Shaw told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“As you know, we are here to support our stakeholders in whatever venture they want to have, in particular, this race. Some of the entrants are based overseas, and international standard requirements must be met by animals to come to Jamaica to participate in the race.

“We’re here. We’re available for discussion. We are here to assist in any way possible. We’re always here to make sure that you know what your requirements are for entry, and we will continue, as we said, to ensure that we support our stakeholders,” she further added.

Dr Martin-Shaw said that interested persons who wish to import horses definitely need a veterinary import permit for these animals to come into the country.

“The veterinary import permit details what the requirements are for those animals to come in and participate. One of the standard things is quarantine.

“It may not be ideal for racing all the time, and there is a higher standard that is required for racing, and I think SVREL is trying to move there with the Government, and it will take time. You have to have proper infrastructure in place, and I think that is something they are working towards.

“Horses should be in quarantine for 14 days. These horses really should prepare well before the race so that they are able to acclimate to the conditions that we have here. So they will be at their optimum before performing at race time,” Dr Martin-Shaw further explained.

Commenting on the requirement for horses coming in from outside of the United States and the other Caribbean countries, Dr Martin-Shaw said: “For horses coming in from different countries, we will also be concerned about the diseases that are present in those countries, and that is something that we will always look at. Right now, that is not open, but that is something going forward that the Government is willing to look at.”

The Mouttet Mile, a Grade One race for three-year-olds and up over one mile, has become Caymanas Park’s marquee event. The purse for the 2023 edition was US$150,000, which was the largest purse for a single racing event in the English-speaking Caribbean at the time.

Riding high on the spectacular success of the Mouttet Mile’s second running last December, organisers have revealed a US$250,000 purse for this year’s third staging — the largest ever yet again.

This year’s staging of the Mouttet Mile takes place on December 7.