Six-year-old American-bred dark bay/brown Nautical Star delivered a statement of intent on Saturday, June 27, 2026, crushing his rivals by 7½ lengths to land the $1.4-million Supreme Ventures Limited 25th Anniversary Trophy in a time of 1:35.3.

Ridden by Omar Walker for trainer Anthony “Baba” Nunes, Nautical Star (Dixie Chatter – Kiss Me Chocolate) turned the one-mile feature into a procession from the moment the gates opened.

He easily led Don Kwesi (Demar Williams), Sensational Soul (Dane Dawkins), and Barnaby (Reyan Lewis) down the backstretch.

Nautical Star maintained his steady gallop well until going into the half-mile (800m) turn even when Supernatural Power (Raddesh Roman) tried to mount a challenged approaching the five-furlong (1,000m) marker.

Walker let loose the notch a bit and Nautical responded well and began to draw away from Supernatural Power and company navigating the half-mile (800m) turn.

Nautical Star then turned on the pressure in deep stretch to easily win ahead of stablemate Barnaby, with Don Kwesi finishing third. Splits were 24.4 x 46.1 x 1:09.4 x 1:22.1.

It was a performance that had assistant trainer Nigel Burke beaming in the winner’s enclosure.

“So I mean probably was best in his interest today was that, you know, he seemed to be the only one quick enough to lead the race, and Omar gave him a perfect ride,” Burke said.

“He got him out in front and then he slowed him down, and I saw where Raddesh kind of made a move aboard
Supernatural Power to quicken the pace and Omar didn’t let him catch him. I think that was where the winning move was made, when he increased it once Supernatural Power had come outside of him. So I thought that was a smart move, and he’s done well,” he further stated.

Nautical Star’s Caymanas journey hasn’t been without bumps. Burke admitted the horse was asked a lot when he ran in last year’s Mouttet Mile off a five-month layoff.

“Last year when he ran in the Mouttet Mile I think he came off of a five month layoff and it was a lot to ask of him.
Legacy Isle is no joke horse, so to speak. I mean he kind of was a successful horse in Florida and then while everybody’s favourite ride all day has been superb here. So I mean we’re kind of drawing lines with the Mouttet Mile and he started off good this season,” Burke explained.

After a brief rest after the 2025 Mouttet Mile, Nautical Star returned with impressive wins before being outsped by
Legacy Isle in the Eros Trophy over 7 furlongs (1,400m) on June 6.

But Saturday’s Anniversary Trophy showed the pieces are coming together.

“I mean, we’re still kind of figuring him out here at Caymanas Park, and he’s seeming to like his new home, and hopefully he continues to progress into a nice horse that he’s always been,” Burke pointed out.

Burke said Nautical Star’s success reflects the growing quality of imported runners in Jamaica.

“I actually think that it’s actually a good group of foreign horses that have come down. I mean, and that promotes your sport here in Jamaica and that actually is great for competitive racing,” he said.