The connections of A Gift From Ben couldn’t contain their surprise and excitement after the five-year-old chestnut mare was awarded first place in the $2.5-million Lady Geeta Trophy race on Saturday, April 13, 2024.

In the Open Allowance/Graded Stakes race over 6 furlongs, A Gift From Ben finished 4 lengths behind Desert of Malibu. However, Desert of Malibu’s colours were removed for intimidating and interfering with Mahogany in the deep stretch, and A Gift From Ben was promoted to first place.

Desmond Lewis, the breeder of A Gift From Ben, said he was pleased with the result since it demonstrated his charge’s continued growth.

“It is a very good feeling to know that you bred horses and won a Grade One race. This horse is improving; she managed to be improving at age five, and so we continue to be hopeful that we can get the best from her,” Lewis told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“It was a fairly good run from her. I mean, we decided that we would sit behind the pace and pick up the spoils, but fortunately we were successful in getting the win, and I am happy with that,” he added.

Trainer Fitzgerald Richards, who was happy with his charge’s performance, stated that
A Gift From Ben continues to impress him.

“Well, we have to give thanks for it [first place], as we have been in the business for so many years, and at least we have gotten something to celebrate for. The feeling is very nice. We came in the race, like anybody else, hopeful because, as long as you are in a race, anything can happen,” he said.

“This horse — I am really impressed with her. I say that if I had expected this to happen, it would be a false statement, but I know she has quality. The older she gets, I find out that she gets to understand and like the style of training I have her on, and we continue on it, and it’s bearing fruit.

“She will still be running in these races, and she will be facing the same horses as well, but we still remain hopeful. She ran third the other day against the same horses and got first place against them today. I can’t say she will improve, get bigger, and win the big races, but we are going to see what is going on, keep hopeful, and see if we can be lucky again,” Richards further said.

A Gift From Ben, ridden by Ramon Nepare, got off to a good start, keeping pace with
Mahogany (Reyan Lewis) and Desert of Malibu (Raddesh Roman). However,
A Gift From Ben was unable to keep up with both runners’ speed, and she was left wanting as
Mahogany and Desert of Malibu moved away.

Going into the half-mile turn, Mahogany and the Desert of Malibu continued to blaze the trail, while A Gift From Ben tried to stay in touch despite strong urgings. When it appeared that A Gift From Ben was doomed because the two lead runners were not returning,
Desert of Malibu pressed Mahogany for space on the inside rails inside the final furlong. With the jockey aboard, Mahogany had to take a pull, giving A Gift From Ben the chance to finish second in the race.

After a lengthy steward’s inquiry and jockey’s objection from Lewis, Desert of Malibu was disqualified and placed third behind Desert of Malibu. The final time of the race was 1:13.2 (23.0 x 47.1).