Another renewal of the Mouttet Mile as the only premier sponsored event of the season is a reminder that the Sport of Kings, if marketed effectively, is still a viable option for the exposure of a variety of goods and services. This was the case in the past, and over its 64 years of existence the Caymanas racing product has had support from a fairly long list of the brands of many major manufacturers and distributors.

In 1967 the Cigarette Company of Jamaica sponsored a revolutionary event advertised as one for the ages that established a new record for purse money. This was the inauguration of the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup backed by their leading brand of cigarettes. A distance of seven furlongs was thought ideal as both out and out sprinters and middle-distance campaigners in the top class would have a shot. The race is now run in honour of 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny.

Naturally, in those days the major purveyors of alcohol and other beverages Desnoes & Geddes (Red Stripe Superstakes) and Wray & Nephew Jamaica Limited (Appleton Bowl) not only sponsored feature races but funded substantial budgets for the broadcast of racing on the Radio Jamaica and the now defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation. These were the only two stations operational at that time which ensured maximum exposure for the products.

These special race days had other major sponsors such as fast-food giant Burger King, and Wisynco with its diverse portfolio of products. Toyota Jamaica Limited was on board for the Jamaica Two Year Stakes where the winning owner’s prize was a late-model car. Even furniture distributors Courts Jamaica Limited as well as host of other entities were willing to endorse this gaming product with their brands.

Truth be told, up to 1992 when the ownership cohort approached 1,000, amongst them there were a significant number that could influence advertising spend in those entities. In Jamaica the profile of sport has changed significantly brought on by the adaptation of Claiming System which created the false premise that owning and trading in racehorses in this largely amateur environment could be a viable economic activity.

The invitational Mouttet Mile with its US$250,000 total purse has attracted a number of horses with credible racing records in the United States. The investment by these owners is a welcome endorsement of the event and enhance the competitiveness of the top class. In this event tomorrow there is a total 11 US importees leaving Atomica as the one most likely to represent the local breeders although St. Leger winner Interestntimesahead will report in improved condition.

Applying British Horseracing Authority principle of handicapping weight-for-age assessment in December the US-bred four-year-old colts even with 126lbs each along with three-year-old colt Barnaby (USA), all have credible form at major racecourses but five-year-old-mare Desert Of Malibu (USA) weighted at 114lb, and having excellent prospects of staying the trip, may make her established acclimatization give her an advantage over those who are yet to acquire this status.

A point has to be made about the races offered over the distances of nine furlongs and 25 yards and nine and a half furlongs with the maximum field size limited to 12 starters. In race seven over the shorter extended nine-furlong trip, which should be discontinued in favour of the longer, 16 declarations were received leaving four horses eliminated on the big race day. Incidentally, races below six furlongs on the round course each field size is restricted to 14.

This overreaction was enacted over two decades ago when there were a number of instances of careless riding over a short period of time. This should now be revisited or no race over any distance for which the maximum number of starters is restricted to below the 16 starting gates available should be offered on the major race days.

With 158 declarations, riders from the USA engaged and with five former local champions, Omar Walker, Shane Ellis, Dane Nelson, Dick Cardenas and Dane Dawkins along with reigning Reyan Lewis as well as the 2024 chief protagonists Raddesh Roman and Tevin Foster, 123 and 119 wins respectively, this sets the stage for a memorable Mouttet Mile race day.