The Diamond Mile returned with a bang on Saturday, July 25, 2026, its first staging since 2019, and it brought together the finest thoroughbreds currently in training.

Thirteen went to post, including three recent track record breakers, setting up a contest of rare quality.

In the end it was Phenomenal Power who proved best. Owned by ACK Stables, trained by Adrian Prince and ridden by apprentice Tajay Suckoo, the 9-1 shot drew away in deep stretch to win the $10-million Graded Stakes by a length.

There was never a moment of concern as Phenomenal Power stopped the clock in 1:34.4 — a stakes record for the Diamond Mile. The previous mark of 1:35.1 was set by She’s A Maneater in 2019.

The time was also just one-fifth of a second outside the long-standing track record of 1:34.3 set by Wantin An Havin in 1997. With the win, Phenomenal Power secured an automatic entry into December’s ultra-rich US$300,000 Mouttet Mile.

The Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide evaluates the final results below.

FIRST – PHENOMENAL POWER: Two weeks after breaking the 7½-furlong track record on July 4,
Phenomenal Power’s dull fifth place over 6 furlongs on July 18 left punters confused with the Diamond Mile seven days away. The reason? It was a prep run in disguise according to the connections and on the big day, all doubts were erased. Apprentice Tajay Suckoo went straight to the lead and set honest fractions of 23.2, 45.1, 1:09.0. Turning for home, Phenomenal Power found another gear and powered clear to win in 1:34.4 — a new Diamond Mile stakes record and 0.1s shy of Wantin An Havin’s 1997 track mark of 1:434.3. The performance announced Phenomenal Power as the top runner to beat this season. It was also a career-first Graded Stakes win for both Suckoo and Prince.

SECOND – GIRVANO: From the inside draw, Girvano rode the paint every step and saved ground. He angled out in the stretch and kept on well to finish a clear second, a length adrift in 1:35.0. Crucially, he was spotting Phenomenal Power 4lbs. On weight-for-age terms, that’s a very good run. Girvano proved he belongs at this level.

THIRD – BARNABY: As usual, Barnaby was last turning for home and came with a withering late run. He picked up the pieces for third. He’s simply a better horse going 10 furlongs and beyond. With few staying races on the calendar, his wins will be hard to come by. But his engine is undeniable.

Jockey Tajay Suckoo (left) and trainer Adrian Prince celebrate the win by Phenomenal Power in the $10-million Diamond Mile on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

FOURTH – ROYAL POPPY: The story of the race. Dismissed at 35-1 after a distant third on debut July 4,
Royal Poppy turned the Diamond Mile into a personal coming-out party. The 6-year-old chestnut mare, trained by Gary Subratie, encountered traffic in the stretch but finished gamely for fourth. It was an eye-catching effort that suggests there’s more to come from her. At those odds, she was the surprise package.

FIFTH – RIDEALLDAY: A tough beat for the reigning Horse of the Year. Rideallday stumbled badly at the break and lost all chance. The mishap ruined his rhythm and he never recovered. Given his dominance at Caymanas, it was a disappointing result — but entirely excusable given the circumstances. Connections will just hope he came out of it sound.

SIXTH – SIR DON: Sir Don did his job without making headlines. Settled mid-pack, he held his position throughout and picked up a check without ever threatening the principals. Honest, but outclassed.

EIGHTH – NAUTICAL STAR: A flat effort from a horse who came in with buzz. Nautical Star was coming off a dominant mile win on June 27, so expectations were high but he never picked up. When the tempo lifted on the far turn, he weakened tamely and was never a factor. One to forgive and watch next time.

NINTH – LEGACY ISLE: The distance of one mile got him. Legacy Isle — the 7-furlong track record holder — pressed Phenomenal Power through fast early fractions. When Suckoo asked Phenomenal Power to go, navigating the half-mile turn, Legacy Isle had no answer and faded tamely. The verdict is clear now:
Legacy Isle is brilliant at 7 furlongs, but vulnerable beyond it.

TENTH – OF A REVOLUTION: Never featured at any stage. His sprinting profile was again exposed, confirming he is best kept to shorter trips.

ELEVENTH – BLUE VINYL: Best of the locals, but that’s not saying much. Blue Vinyl was the better of the two Jamaican-breds, yet he was still well beaten. His run just underlined the gap that still exists between the local crop and the imported horses ruling the graded ranks right now.

TWELFTH – FUNCAANDUN: A shadow of his former self. The former Horse of the Year and Mouttet Mile winner, Funcaandun, offered nothing like his best. This was another disappointing run, well below the standard he set when he was dominating.

THIRTEENTH – NEO STAR: Was never involved. Neo Star trailed from the gate and was beaten a long way out. With minimal expectations coming in, he delivered exactly that.