Salute The Don, ridden by Dane Dawkins, dominated the Sir Howard Stakes on March 21, winning by an impressive 9 ½ lengths.

The chestnut colt, trained by Gary Subratie, completed the six-furlong distance (1,200m) in 1:13.4, showcasing his exceptional talent. So Lucky Am I and Mohanlal rounded out the top three, finishing second and third, respectively.

Other notable performances came from Dashallday, who was disappointing but showed late form, and Manoletti Majestic, who faded after a promising start. The Sir Howard Stakes is a key prep race for the upcoming Classic series, and Salute The Don’s win has him as a leading contender.

The Supreme Racing Guide by The Jamaica Observer presents the Sir Howard Stakes results, listed below in order of finish.

1 – SALUTE THE DON: Salute The Don made his 2026 debut in the Sir Howard Stakes, bouncing back from a strong second-place finish in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes on Boxing Day 2025. He dominated the Sir Howard, breaking sharply to take the lead and settling comfortably down the backstretch. At the furlong marker, he shifted gears, powering home by 9½ lengths in 1:13.4. This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.
Salute The Don’s performance sets a new benchmark for three-year-old colts and geldings, and he’s now a top contender for the upcoming Classics.

2 – SO LUCKY AM I: So Lucky Am I, a 19-1 outsider, was the surprise package of the Sir Howard Stakes, securing second place with a resilient performance. Despite being overshadowed by Salute The Don, he showed promise, racing prominently and holding firm in the final two furlongs. This was a step forward for the colt, and while he’s still unproven at the top level, he’s signalled potential. Consistency is key now — can he follow up with another strong showing?

3 – MOHANLAL: Mohanlal finished third in the Sir Howard Stakes, putting in an honest effort but lacking the spark of a future Classic contender. He’ll need significant improvement in speed and stamina to make a bigger impact in the division. Development is key for this colt to progress.

4 – DASHALLDAY: Dashallday, the second favourite, disappointed in the Sir Howard Stakes. Slow out of the gates, he trailed early and only began to make a move around the turn, finishing well but never threatening Salute The Don. This was a surprising letdown, but given his prior speed credentials, he’s likely to bounce back. A strong next start is crucial to restore confidence.

5 –UNCLE NALLY: Uncle Nally’s effort in the Sir Howard Stakes was solid but unremarkable. He raced mid-pack and tried to rally in the straight, but lacked the punch to make an impact. To contend in the Classics, he’ll need to step up his game with better positioning and closing speed.

6 – GOD’S PLAN : God’s Plan was out of it, earning a minor placing but never threatening the leaders. He’ll need to find more sharpness to move forward.

7 – FIDELITY: Fidelity’s struggles continue — gate issues ruined his chances again. He broke poorly and was out of it from the start. Unless he sorts out his starting woes, he’ll fall further behind.

8 – DARWIN: Darwin was off the pace, never in contention. Big question marks hang over his readiness for this level.

9 – LONDON SPIRIT: London Spirit’s poor start ruined his chances, struggling to recover and never finding rhythm. Underwhelming performance — he’ll need to bounce back strong.

10 – MANOLETTI MAJESTIC: Manoletti Majestic had a promising run, then suddenly faded in the stretch. Something didn’t seem right — connections will likely look into it.

Trainer Gary Subratie (left) greets his charge, Salute The Don (Dane Dawkins), after winning the $1.2-million Sir Howard Stakes on Saturday, March 21, 2026. At right is groom Leon Suckoo.Joseph Wellington

Salute The Don (Dane Dawkins) enters the winners’ enclosure after winning the Sir Howard Stakes on Saturday, March 21, 2026.Joseph Wellington