The Jamaica Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation (JTHF) showed its reach Sunday, June 28, 2026, pulling horsemen from across the globe to Portmore Heart Academy for its A Night of Champions 3rd Annual Fundraising & Award Event.

Founder Charmaine Subratie said the turnout proved the foundation’s purpose is being felt far beyond Caymanas Park. This year, guests travelled in from Oakland Park racetrack, Ohio; Thistledown, Puerto Rico; and Panama to stand with Jamaican horsemen.

“We kept this going on because of our desire, as we want to assist horsemen in need,” Subratie told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“We saw where we are getting the support yearly — and this year is fantastic because we have people from all over from different countries. So, we are gowing from strength to strength so it is very encouraging,” she added.

Grooms’ President Fabian White (centre) with retired grooms Winston Brown (left) and Lionel Rodney at the Jamaica Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation 3rd Annual Fundraising & Award Event held at the Portmore Heart Academy on Sunday, June 28, 2026. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

The foundation was born from a simple scene at the track. Subratie recalled riding in with her husband, Errol Subratie, and watching horsemen line up for help.

“When he drove up, everyone was asking him for help — trainers, grooms, and all of that — and so I thought about forming something that people who would help have an avenue to work with,” she said.

“And at the same time I thought about George HoSang, Emilio Rodriquez, and all the retired jockeys who we have not been seeing, so this could be a good platform to get them involved in something worthwhile,” Subratie continued.

From left: International Barbadian jockey Rocco Bowen, founder of the Jamaica Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation Charmaine Subratie, and Panamanian Jose Ramos at the Jamaica Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation A Night of Champions 3rd Anniversary Fundraiser and Award event held at the Portmore Heart Academy on Sunday, June 28, 2026. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Honouring forgotten riders became a driving force, and Subratie leaned on a saying she’s heard too often: “There’s a popular saying that [a] sportsman dies twice. When he retires and he [loses] the crowd and the shouting, that’s his first death; and the second death is the real death. So I figured that those guys must be dead and so I want to get them alive.”

That mission was on display as awards went to riders, grooms, and supporters who keep the sport’s backbone strong.

Guest speaker Barbadian jockey Rocco Bowen, who rode in Jamaica for the very first time over the weekend of Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, said that although he didn’t win any races he will be donating his earnings to the JTHF.

“The earnings and my jockey’s money, I’m going to donate it to the foundation because it’s the right thing to do. I brought a lot of gear as well to give away to the less fortunate riders, because I used to be one of those guys that didn’t have, you know, much stuff but my mom and dad always make sure I had one pair everything. I always give back, and I’m donating all my proceedings to the foundation,” Bowen, who received the JTHF Golden Award, said.

Master of Ceremony Dr Paul Wright (left) and racehorse breeder and owner Rohan Levy having a chat during the Jamaica Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation 3rd Anniversary Fundraiser and Award event held at the Portmore Heart Academy on Sunday, June 28, 2026. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Groom Joseph Harris took home the George HoSang Award while retired groom Lionel Raynor was recognised with the Emilio Rodriquez Award. Daniel Gazada received a citation, while the E Anthony Subratie Award for top contributor went to trainer Gordon Lewis.

Subratie closed by praising the team that has pushed the foundation forward for three years.

“I am proud of the team that stuck it out with me every year. I am proud to see the involvement and to see people from outside of Jamaica reaching out to us to be a part of the foundation,” she ended.