The highly anticipated nine-race meet on Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 21, 2024, ended in dramatic fashion after only two races.

The officiating stewards were forced to abandon the remainder of the programme due to safety concerns sparked by a contentious stewards’ decision.

The controversy began when Tekapunt, owned and trained by Ricardo Brown and ridden by Samantha Fletcher, initially crossed the finishing line first in the day’s second race. However, the stewards disqualified Tekapunt for interfering with My Sunshine (Omar Walker) in the final stretch, awarding the victory to Salud (Raddesh Roman).

The race was a three-year-old and upward Optional Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) spread that included native-bred five-year-olds and upward, imported six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of four), and imported five-year-olds (non-winners of three) over six furlongs (1,200m).

Tekapunt had won the race by a short head, beating Salud and My Sunshine in that order.

Incensed punters vehemently disputed the decision, sparking a heated backlash. Rubbish bins were hurled in the tunnel and winners’ enclosure, prompting concerns for the safety of horses, horsemen, and attendees.

As tensions escalated the Jamaica Racing Commission stewards made the unprecedented decision to cancel the remaining seven races.

The official announcement echoed through the public address system:

“Due to unrest following a stewards’ decision after race two at Caymanas Park today, October 21, 2024, Heroes’ Day — which led to safety concerns for all the horses, horsemen, punters, and all attendees — all remaining races on the day have been abandoned by the Jamaica Racing Commission’s stewards.”

The abrupt conclusion to the meet left many in shock, casting a shadow over the Heroes’ Day celebrations.

After Monday’s dramatic abandonment, Caymanas Park returns to action on Saturday.