THE 2022 racing year is now confined to the annals of history and once again the industry — through the efforts of the lovers of the sport involving the ownership of horses, Jamaica Racing Commission personnel, the board of directors and the operatives of promoting company Supreme Venture Racing & Entertainment Limited, backed by the professional cohort of trainers, jockeys, grooms and other professionals — the challenges of viability were dealt with effectively enough to stage 856 races.

The $4.0-million renewal of the Grade 1 Ian Levy Cup for three-year-olds and upwards over 1700 metres was the eighth and feature event on the ten-race programme.

Mahogany (Dane Dawkins), one of two declarations by Ian Parsard with the other being Jordon Reign’s (USA), was the market leader at even money. Former 14-time champion Philip Feanny saddled Mouttet Mile hero Excessive Force (USA) as well as recent winner I’ve Got Magic (USA), ridden by Bebeto Harvey and Anthony Thomas, respectively.

The obvious strategy by the Feanny outfit was to use lightly weighted I’ve Got Magic (USA) to ensure usual front-runner Mahogany did not enjoy an unchallenged advantage to the top of the home straight. The pacemaking I’ve Got Magic (USA) did a good job but Dawkins was not suckered into matching strides and tracked on the bridle easily before attacking for the lead and assuming the advantage in the upper stretch.

Mahogany stayed strong in the final 200 metres and was five lengths better than Jordon Reign’s while the American-bred Feanny duo of Excessive Force and I’ve Got Magic had to accept third and fourth places, respectively.

This success by Mahogany was Dawkins’ second win on the day to close his season tally on 103, five more than Thomas — the outgoing three-time champion. Subject to ratification Dawkins will be the 26th champion crowned at Caymanas Park dating back to 1960.

The opening event run on the 1000-metre round course was won by 4-1 shot Snowflakes (Samantha Fletcher) for trainer Colin Ferguson’s tenth of the season from 65 declarations.

Dawkins rode the first of his three-timer in the second race with Jnr Jones (4-5) to open double success for trainer Michael Marlowe.

In another hour’s time Marlowe made a return to the winners’ enclosure at the end of the 1000-metre straight gallop of race four as Omar Walker guided 3-5 favourite Ras Emanuel to victory.

Trained by Robert Pearson and starting at odds of 3-1, maiden colt Posing Already (Shane Ellis) was good enough to be nearly seven lengths ahead of the nearest rival in Division I of the day’s third event restricted to three-year-olds and contested over 1000 metres straight.

Race five was Division II and Muzzo (3-5), schooled by Spencer Chung for only a second racecourse appearance, gave Aaron “Iceman” Chatrie his 18th winner of the year.

In race six Thomas, astride 3-1 chance Zabratone, had his first of two successes from eighth opportunities on the card. The five-year-old gelding, trained by Dennis Thwaites, was winner number 24 from the stable’s 110th declaration this season.

The 1200-metre race seven, confined to imported and native-bred two-year-olds, went to Fred The Great (USA) at odds of 8-5 ridden by Robert Halledeen for newly crowned champion trainer Jason DaCosta.

In the 1500-metre ninth event Thomas confirmed his double success when I Realise, a three-time winner and even money favourite, outclassed 11 rivals — none of which had won as many races — with a dominant show by eight lengths. Conditioner Alford Brown closed his season on 16 winners from 132 starts while in the nightcap, with 30 wins from 175 starts, Richard Azan saddled 7-2 bet Scooby to win the 1100-metre sprint by a short head. Scooby arrived in the final stride for Dawkins to close a three-timer with another copybook performance in the saddle.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Spencer Chung for his patience in preparing Muzzo to compete successfully, having had its first and only previous race last June.

The Best Winning Gallop was displayed by Scooby, with victory due in no small measure to the skill set of Dane Dawkins for yet another Jockeyship Award.