It is time for my half-yearly review of the performance of the regulatory Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), promoter Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Ltd (SVREL), and the stakeholders in the different categories. Eighty race meetings were scheduled in the annual calendar.

The race card of June 28, 2025, is the 39th when 369 races of this racing year in Jamaica will be completed. In terms of its regulatory remit of protecting the integrity of the racing product, the JRC continues to maintain its credibility in this regard. Recently, the JRC has given up over 50 years of occupancy of the Winchester Road premises for a new location at Big Buy Plaza in Portmore.

As a result, the functional operation of its on-site Caymanas office, except for the welfare department, will now be administered from this new location. SVREL, although operating with a flawed product delivering between 45 and 50 per cent odds-on favourites, rendering those races underperforming as sales units, have done and continue to do a decent job of holding things together for the last eight years.

Truth be told, working with an aging and reducing horse population, their racing office is forced into a struggle to present competitive races. The Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association (TOBA), owners of the racing product, continue to be at odds with SVREL over purse increases without acknowledgement of certain facts. The division of the horse population into 21 instead of eight categories ensures smaller fields in 90 per cent of the races. Further, JRC Rule #33 continues to be honoured in the breach with inferior horses conceding weight, in many instances, to imported superior horses with a resultant negative impact on sales turnover. Howard Hamilton, founding and only president of the 32-year-old TOBA did not seek reelection at this year’s annual general meeting and owner and breeder Phillip Azar, backed by a newly constituted board of directors, has assumed the responsibility. Captain Marlon Brown has been elected president of the United Racehorse Trainers Association of Jamaica (URTAJ).

As it relates to the next purse increase for TOBA and URTAJ, it will be interesting to observe the tone and tenure of the negotiations with SVREL. In the past, the deliberations have not been short of acrimony and mistrust. However, it is predictable that these new executive bodies and SVREL will enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship as going forward they are likely to forge a viable partnership. The offer of simulcast betting on horse racing held outside of Jamaica continues to be an improving revenue stream for SVREL. The yield from exotic wagers in both simulcast and local races have increased in popularity as the punters enjoy the prospect of larger payouts. The long-term future of horse racing in the United States continues a downward trajectory as over the last 30 years there has been a 50 per cent reduction in foals and consequently races. The 2000 Guineas hero Sensational Soul is the leading stakes earner at this point with $5.07 million over
Barnaby (USA) at $3.7 and 1000 Guineas winner Burning Hedge is in fourth place at $3.02 just behind Portmore winner Social Aviator at $3.2 million.

Champion trainer Jason Dacosta will take a lead of just over $3.0 million ahead of archrival Anthony Nunes in the race for the 2025 title. Carlton Watson, the 2024 champion owner, will commence the second half of this year with a similar lead over his nearest rival. Whilst champion reinsman Raddesh Roman with 54 wins from 192 mounts leads Shane Ellis on 27 from 116.

— Wes Martin