THE first quarter of the 2026 racing year in Jamaica has come to an end and therefore, given the dictates of the regulation and promotion of horse racing, closer monitoring of these functions is required to address the financial and economic circumstances and standing of the personnel involved at all levels. The dynamics of the last five years require ongoing evaluation of the horse population’s current situation, and the end of the first quarter of 2026 warrants analysis as the average field size remains below 10 per race.

The assets and tools of the promoting company for arresting and reversing the industry’s decline are at their highest level ever. Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited, now in its tenth year of operation, has had huge advantages — chief of which is the benefit of a captive market offering a monopolistic product with competent field-sales staffing — but economic expansion has remained elusive because of the inherently flawed and complicated local racing product.

Despite the setback of the ravages of Hurricane Melissa on October 27 last year, over 100 points of sale (OTBs) remain operational, supported by telephone accounts; effectively, the industry as a whole dodged a bullet. However,the devastating impact on the breeding sheds, infrastructure damage, and loss of bloodstock are still concerning realities of the near-financial disaster.

The 15-year underdevelopment or lack of growth in the breeding industry and in the horse racing segment of this niche gaming market continues. For viability, the improvement desired should have been commensurate with population increase, but these challenges persist with no end in sight. Still, it is my understanding that SVREL’s operating expenses are more aligned with the revenue stream and this quarter has experienced encouraging returns, both from local racing and simulcast wagering.

The local racing industry has survived the last 33 years because of the resilience of the cohort of genuine owners who continue to operate on the basis that this is a worthwhile engagement for enjoyment and entertainment, as well as the camaraderie and the recognition that accrues from this prestigious pastime.

However, this cohort remains unconvinced that an increase in purses is largely unaffordable. It would be interesting to see the accounting of revenue streams and operational expenditure of the three sources disaggregated, of which the absence of this has been a source of constant complaint and speaks to the trust factor involved.

Nineteen race meetings yielded 186 races, and although early in the context of annual returns the statistics in the competitive categories of this opening quarter make interesting analysis and may be predictive of what will be decided on December 26, 2026 when the individual champions and sector championships are finally decided.

As expected, second-generation trainers Jason DaCosta and Anthony Nunes — four-time and three-time champions, respectively — have already established that, once again, they will compete for the title. As things stand, Nunes has an advantage of around $3.5 million, and both will be well represented in the major races over the course of the next nine months. Whilst heavily invested, champion owner Carlton Watson’s early successes led the standings by $3.5 million as well.

Reigning two-time champion reinsman Raddesh Roman had remarkable figures of 133 and 129 successes in 2024 and 2025, respectively. He has 19 wins so far and leads 2022 champion, Dane Dawkins, on 17, with Tevin Foster — who rode 132 winners in 2024 — now also on 17. Both Dawkins and Foster had lengthy stints overseas last year but have revealed no similar plans for this season. Robert Halledeen meanwhile, who tallied 56 and 50 for the last two seasons, is now on 13 and seemingly not interested in returning to riding overseas anytime soon.

Reyan Lewis, who won 99 races to be champion in 2023, and Christopher Mamdeen, whose 96 winners were good enough for the 2019 title, are also attracting very competitive mounts frequently.

This means it is eminently predictable that with the emergence of so many 2024 graduates of the Jamaica Racing Commission Riding School — foremost of who are Demar Williams (champion apprentice 2025), Richie Shakes, Tajay Suckoo, Tyrese Anderson, Shaheen Gordon, and Jaheim Anderson — no rider is likely to exceed 100 winning mounts this season.

As things stand currently, the US-bred imported horses will continue to dominate the Graded Stakes events — with the likes of Funcaandun, Legal Isle, Pack Plays, Of A Revolution, Barnaby, Dothraki, Wall Street Trader, Girvano, Rideallday, and Supernatural Power certain to divide the more lucrative spoils between them.

It now seems like a long time since any locally bred champions, such as Atomica and Mahogany, emerged to compete successfully with the importees — and that will not change for the foreseeable future, or if ever again. However, going forward, the cohort of importees will not remain at this level indefinitely.