In a year when there were two incidents of disruption to the order of things, the regulation and promotion of horseracing was basically routine as the local industry continued to operate in survival mode rather than in a process of ongoing development.

In late April the regulatory Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) was at odds with promoting company Supreme Venture Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) over the late starting of races which is in contravention of Rule #44 which states that all starters must be at the gates at post time. The JRC’s concern was that this was having a negative impact on the efficacy of necessary race day medication.

To avoid further disruption of the racing calendar, Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke ordered the suspension of the rule. Then there was the Heroes’ Day fiasco when seven races were abandoned as certain punters disrupted proceedings in disagreement with decision of the race day Stewards to disqualify the horse first past the post in race three.

In response, the JRC Board reversed the decision of the Stewards and ordered their suspension for six months and additionally engaged an official from overseas to conduct refresher courses. However, these incidents apart, the thoroughbreds, the cohort of professionals, trainers, riders and grooms with the generous and sporting owners managed to deliver a fairly satisfactory season of racing but with uncertain future prospects.

Somewhat unusually, the five Classics were won by different horses. The 1000 and 2000 Guineas went to
Run Julie Run and California Crown, respectively, whilst the Oaks went to Banadura. The St Leger was won by Intrestntimesahead and the Derby by Crown Chaser. Interestingly and disappointingly, with the exception of Run Julie Run, for one reason or another, none of these horses improved to be competitive in the top two classes.

Funcaandun (USA) an impressively conformed three-year-old colt made his debut late in January and showed progressive form thereafter. Won the Philip Feanny Gold Cup in early October and demonstrated speed, stamina and courage to win the US$250,000 Mouttet Mile. With seven victories from 11 starts, Jason DaCosta’s champion looks the sort to show further improvement in 2025. If all goes well, he should be competitive in the major races throughout his second season.

Looking at the older horses, predictably Desert Of Malibu (USA), Atomica, two-time Horse-Of-The-Year, and
Mahogany were unchallenged as the three top-rated horses sharing the major trophies as 2023 Mouttet Mile winner Rough Entry (USA) was largely absent. The island now has an Open Allowance and Graded Stakes contenders of aging horses as nothing younger, except Funcaandun (USA), has emerged to challenge the status quo. It is hoped that US imports Legacy Isle, Barnaby, Commandant, Pack Plays and Tiz Toz and
Sheer Delight will improve to be regular competitive top-class campaigners.

The 2024 two-year-old crop is smallest and weakest in the history of the industry as evidenced by the fact only six were thought to be good enough to run in the $4.0-million Jamaica Stakes. Bred, owned and trained by Carl Anderson, Burning Hedge thoroughly outstayed her five rivals in the event. Whilst Unspun (USA) won three of five starts and is the best of the limited crop of imported and locally bred juveniles.

In the 21st century, Raddesh Roman in 2024 became the 12th champion jockey after Charles Hussey (01), Omar Walker (07,08,09,10,16,17), Trevor Simpson (02,03,04), Brian Harding (05,06), Dick Cardenas (11), Dane Nelson (12,13,14,21), Shane Ellis (01, 15), Anthony Thomas (18, 20, 21), Christopher Mamdeen (19), Dane Dawkins (22), and Reyan Lewis 2023. Jamaica is the only jurisdiction with this record with so many of these champions being engaged in North America.

The 2024 contest between Roman and Tevin Foster made most of headlines in the second half of the season as of the 755 races they. Fittingly it came down to the last five races and Roman at 133 tallied one more than his chief rival. It’s congratulations to all those who topped the statistics, but from this column the racing personality of the year is Raddesh Roman and Funcaandun (USA) is thoroughbred champion.