Top-notch Venezuelan jockey Javier Castellano confirmed for Mouttet Mile in Caymanas Park
Top-notch Venezuelan Jockey Javier Castellano will grace the shores of Jamaica as he is set to ride Phillip Feanny’s RideAllDay in the Mouttet Mile on December 6 at Caymanas Park.
The Hall of Famer who made a name for himself on the American circuit with over 5,000 winners, including the prestigious Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup, has won the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey on four occasions in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016.
Castellano began his riding career in 1996 at Santa Rita in Venezuela, before moving to the American circuit and taking it by storm since 1997.
In 2023, he won two legs of the American Triple Crown series on two separate horses, winning aboard Mage in the Kentucky Derby and Arcangelo in the Belmont Stakes. It was Castellano’s first career victory in each race.
In a press release from Caymanas Park, Castellano expressed his anticipation for riding in the Caymanas Park’s marquee race day.
“I’m very excited to be part of a great day of racing at Caymanas Park and the opportunity to ride in the Mouttet Mile and on a nice horse in RideAllDay. Grateful for the opportunity from all the connections. It’s going to be an awesome day,” said Castellano.
Castellano will be riding for Jamaican Hall of Famer trainer Feanny, whose three-year-old US-bred colt Rideallday recently won the Port Royal Sprint victory and will be one of the top contenders.
The operators of Caymanas Park are buzzing with excitement and Solomon Sharpe, executive chairman of Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited, could hardly contain his joy at getting a jockey of this calibre to Jamaica.
“We are excited to welcome Javier Castellano to Caymanas Park for the Mouttet Mile,” said Sharpe.
“Based on the entrants in this year’s Mouttet Mile, it’s poised to be a very competitive race. RideAllDay gave us a glimpse of his capabilities when he took the Port Royal Sprint earlier this month, earning an automatic entry to the Mouttet Mile,” he noted.
“With an internationally experienced jockey like Castellano in the saddle, we may see an even better performance come December 6. What we’re sure of is that with the level of competition among all the contenders, punters are in for a treat. We encourage the fans to come out to watch this high-quality race live right here at Caymanas Park,” Sharpe added.
The Mouttet Mile, scheduled to take place at Caymanas Park on December 6, is one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious horse racing events with a US$300,000 purse on offer, drawing top contenders and elite talent from around the world.
The American-bred horse, Funcaandun, trained by Jason DaCosta, owned by Carlton Watson and ridden by jockey Robert Halledeen, won last year’s edition.
