BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) —Defending champion Portfolio Company is back to defend his title when the prestigious 42nd Sandy Lane Gold Cup runs off on March 1 at the historic Garrison Savannah.

The six-year-old gelding, owned by American Gay Smith and trained by Chad Brown, will be looking to create history in the Caribbean’s most prestigious horse race by becoming just the fourth to win back-to-back titles, following in the footsteps of Sandford Prince (1991, 1992), Blast of Storm (2000, 2001, 2002) and Dorsett (2016, 2017).

Smith, who will be going after her fifth Gold Cup title, will also be represented by Smokin’ T and Jerry The Nipper, who finished fourth in the 2024 Gold Cup.

Smokin’ T, a six-year-old, was recently purchased by Smith for $160, 000 and will be one of the favourites, having recently defeated both Portfolio Company and Jerry the Nipper.

Champion trainer Saffie Joseph Jr will be represented by Harrow and Public Sector.

Harrow, a seven-year-old gelding, has won twice on turf since he was claimed and was recently fifth in the W L McKnight Stakes.

Meanwhile, Public Sector has won six of 30 races, including an optional claiming race at Woodbine last summer over Stone Age.

Trinidadian The Goddess Nike, along with locals Show the Money and the mare Vividly complete the eight-horse field.