Last week, we embarked on an exciting journey, counting down the most electrifying moments in horse racing history. Now, we’re back with the next instalment, as we unveil the top 5 moments that have left an enduring impact on the sport.

From jaw-dropping upsets to record-shattering performances, these moments left people on the edge of their seats. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the top 5 moments of the 2024 horse racing season.

1. RADDESH ROMAN WINS JOCKEYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BY A HAIR

The 2024 jockeys’ championship will be etched in the memories of racing enthusiasts forever. The electrifying battle between Raddesh Roman and Tevin Foster had fans on the edge for the entire season. The two gladiators clashed in a heart-stopping finale at Caymanas Park on December 28, with Roman emerging victorious by a single winner. The stage was set for a thrilling conclusion, with Roman holding a slender three-win lead over Foster (132-129). The tension was palpable as the two riders prepared to face off on the nine-race card, with the championship title hanging precariously in the balance. Foster came out swinging, securing three consecutive wins in the second, third, and fourth races aboard Honour Prince, Supremasi, and
Shelly The Rocket. The crowd was electrified as Foster drew level with Roman, setting the stage for a nail-biting showdown. The question on everyone’s mind: would Roman hold his nerve and claim the title, or would Foster’s blistering start prove too much to overcome? The suspense was killing, but in the end, Roman’s determination and skill paid off, securing the coveted 2024 jockeys’ championship title. Roman refused to back down, striking back immediately with a win aboard Oil Machine in the fifth race. The game was on. The two riders then engaged in a nail-biting game of cat and mouse, with Foster finishing second in three of the remaining four races aboard Lady Abhimala, Stanislaus, and Medal Award. Roman’s narrow defeat in the feature Dye Job Sprint Trophy, where he finished second aboard Rideallday as the firm favourite, only added to the tension. Unspun, trained by Donovan Hutchinson and ridden by Christopher Mamdeen, took the win by a short head in the six-furlong (1,200m) event. As the day drew to a close, the tension reached fever pitch, with the crowd holding its collective breath as the two riders battled it out. In the end, Roman’s lone winner on the day proved to be the decisive factor, as he clinched the championship title by the narrowest of margins — just one win. Roman won with 133 winners to Foster’s 132. Roman’s championship win cemented his status as one of the top jockeys in the sport, and marked a triumphant end to a season that had seen him consistently perform at the highest level. For Foster, meanwhile, there was the consolation of a remarkable season, and the knowledge that he had pushed Roman all the way to the wire.

2. HEROES’ DAY MEET ABANDONED AMIDST CONTROVERSY

The highly anticipated nine-race meet on Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 21, 2024, ended in dramatic and chaotic fashion after just two races. A contentious stewards’ decision sparked widespread outrage, forcing the officiating stewards to abandon the remainder of the programme due to safety concerns. The controversy began when Tekapunt, ridden by Samantha Fletcher, 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). Incensed punters vehemently disputed the decision, sparking a heated backlash that quickly escalated into chaos. Rubbish bins and debris were hurled in the tunnel and winners’ enclosure, prompting concerns for the safety of horses, horsemen, and attendees. As tensions reached a boiling point, the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) stewards made the unprecedented decision to cancel the remaining seven races, citing safety concerns. The abrupt abandonment of the meet left many in shock, marking a dramatic and controversial conclusion to the Heroes’ Day meet.

3. STEWARDS REMOVED FROM PANEL DUTIES AFTER TEKAPUNT CONTROVERSIAL DECISION

In response to the contentious demotion of Tekapunt from the second race on October 21, 2024, the JRC afterwards announced the immediate removal of three stewards from panel duties for a period of six months. The decision followed widespread criticism from the racing community, which deemed the stewards’ decision unfair and inconsistent. The subsequent chaos, which compromised the safety of horses, horsemen, and attendees, prompted the JRC to take swift and decisive action. In addition to the suspensions, the JRC has mandated that the entire steward body undergo a comprehensive refresher course and re-examination of their accreditation through the Racing Officials Accreditation Programme (ROAP). To facilitate this training, the JRC had invited Chief Steward Adam Coppola from Maryland racetrack to provide expert guidance. This decisive action demonstrated the JRC’s commitment to upholding the integrity and transparency of Jamaican horse racing.

4. FUNCAANDUN’S MOUTTET MILE VICTORY

In a high octane duel in deep stretch that will be etched in the memories of racing fans for years to come,
Funcaandun, ridden by Robert Halledeen, outbattled favourite Legacy Isle to win the prestigious Mouttet Mile (invitational) at Caymanas Park on Saturday, December 7. The stage was set for a thrilling showdown, with a US$250,000 ($39 million) purse on the line — the largest in the English-speaking Caribbean. The atmosphere was electric, and the stakes were higher than ever. No one was giving anything away, and the excitement was electric. Those in attendance were filled with anticipation, sensing that they were about to witness something truly special. And special it was, as Funcaandun, trained by Jason DaCosta, upset the apple cart at odds of 17-1. The three-year-old American bay colt got home in the Graded Stakes contest for three-year-olds and upward by a neck, leaving favourite Legacy Isle, ridden by visiting jockey Emisael Jaramillio, in second place. Legacy Isle, trained by Rohan Crichton, did nothing wrong, but was simply outdone by a better horse on the day. Crichton’s other runner, Commandant, ridden by Dane Nelson, finished third by one and a quarter lengths. After splits of 23.2 x 46.4 x 1:12.1 x 1:25.0, the final time was recorded at 1:38.4.

5. SAMANTHA FLETCHER VINDICATED

The Supreme Court overturned the 25-day suspension handed down to jockey Samantha Fletcher by the JRC in March 2023 in a landmark ruling on Friday, November 29, 2024. Fletcher was initially suspended for not riding her mount, Gone A Negril, on merit during a seventh-place finish on February 4, 2023. The incident sparked controversy, with many in the racing community questioning the severity of the punishment. Although Fletcher’s suspension was later reduced by five days, her representatives felt that the punishment was still excessive and unfair. They argued that the JRC’s decision-making process was flawed and didn’t provide Fletcher with chance to prove her innocence. One of the key issues raised by Fletcher’s team was that one of the stewards who initially handed down the punishment was also part of the appeal hearing. This, they argued, was a clear conflict of interest and undermined the integrity of the appeal process. In a significant victory for Fletcher and her team, the Supreme Court has now quashed the JRC’s decisions on March 7, 2024, and March 21, 2023. The court has also awarded costs to Fletcher and ordered her attorney-at-law to prepare, file, and serve the orders.