Caymanas Park, Jamaica’s premier racing venue, has been at the centre of attention over the past week.

The furore surrounding the disqualification of Tekapunt on October 21, 2024, followed by the impassioned response from punters and the subsequent actions taken by the Racing Commission, had the entire racing community on edge.

However, on Saturday, October 26, 2024, the spotlight shifted from controversy to record-breaking performances. In an unprecedented feat, two track records were shattered in consecutive races, sending shock waves of excitement throughout the racing community.

The day’s second race, a maiden special event for two-year-olds, set the tone for the thrilling afternoon. Mighty Gully, a talented bay filly trained by Robert Pearson and ridden by Abigail Able, burst from the starting gate and dominated the 4 ½ furlong (900m) race.

Despite her youthful exuberance, Mighty Gully clocked an impressive 53.1 seconds, eclipsing the previous track record of 53.4 seconds. Mighty Gully won by a length ahead of Ideal Wiina (Tevin Foster).

The crowd’s euphoria was short-lived, as the third race witnessed another record-breaking performance. Four Fiver, a seasoned dark bay mare trained by David Lee-Sin and ridden by Aaron Chatrie, produced a stunning display of speed and power. Contested over the same 4 ½ furlong (900m) distance. Four Fiver crossed the finish line in 53.0 seconds, a mere 0.1 seconds faster than Mighty Gully’s record-breaking time.

Four Fiver’s triumph came in a Restricted Allowance III contest for native-bred five-year-old and upward (non-winners of four) and imported five-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three).

Initially, Four Fiver trailed behind the pace-setting trio of Power of Faith (Dick Cardenas), Adenosine (Shavon Townsend), and Traveller’s Lodge (Ramon Nepare).

As the field entered the final two furlongs (400m), Four Fiver remained patient, biding her time while Adenosine and Power of Faith battled for the lead. Four Fiver shifted gears and surged forward, going by rivals to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Adenosine and
Special Gift (Samantha Fletcher).

This historic achievement marked the first time since Caymanas Park’s inception in 1959 that two track records have been broken in consecutive races. The significance of this feat was not lost on racing enthusiasts, who celebrated the exceptional performances.

The rare occurrence has sparked renewed interest in Jamaican racing, shifting attention away from recent controversies and highlighting the sport’s thrilling unpredictability.

As the racing community basks in the glory of this historic feat, all eyes are on Caymanas Park, eager to witness the next thrilling chapter in Jamaican racing.