The Diamond Mile Scholarship and The Diamond Mile Award of Excellence were announced as 2 new enhancements to Jamaica’s most prestigious horse racing event, The Diamond Mile Race Day.
Speaking at the launch event for the 4th staging of the Diamond Mile Race Day, Vitus Evans, Executive Director of the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission, announced that the Diamond Mile Scholarship valued at $500,000 will provide funding to attend the Jamaica Racing Commission’s Jockey School for a currently licensed exercise rider who seeks to take his/her horse racing career to the next level. “Our expectation is that this scholarship will assist an individual who will embark on a career as a jockey that embodies the qualities of distinction and excellence that are consistent with the Diamond Mile,” said Evans. He also announced that the Diamond Mile Award of Excellence would be presented to an individual who has made a stellar contribution to the racing industry.
Excitement, glamour and grandeur return to Caymanas Park on Saturday December 1 when thousands are expected to pack the stands and the infield at Caymanas Park to witness the running of the richest thoroughbred horse race in the English-speaking Caribbean. The Diamond Mile offers a prize purse of USD115,000 and is the feature race on a day with up to 12 additional races on the card, each offering a purse of at least J$1M.
The Diamond Mile was launched by the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission in a move to deliver much needed rejuvenation for Jamaica’s horse racing industry. Since inception the Diamond Mile race day has achieved many significant milestones including earning the highest sales, generating the highest number of entries and attracting the largest and most diverse crowd of spectators to Caymanas Park for a single race day.
The BGLC’s investment in the Diamond Mile Race has not only generated increased revenue for the government, but has also increase sales for the operators of Caymanas Park; generated additional income for the participating owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms via the significant prize purses; additional dividends to punters and commissions to off-track-betting operators, and additional income for businesses that have linkages to the horse racing industry.
“The Diamond Mile continues to fulfil its aim to be a major boost for the horse racing sector by increasing industry revenue and contribution to the Jamaican economy, by improving competitiveness in the sport, and being an exciting entertainment product that is appealing to all segments of society,” said Evans.
Attendees can choose from three tiers of ticket - the premium all-inclusive Infield Experience where the glamour of the event will be achieved via a strict dress code of daytime formal; the North Lounge and the stands.
The Diamond Mile 2018 is presented with sponsorship of Supreme Ventures, Jamaica Racing Commission, Main Event Entertainment Group, The Jamaica Observer, Tru Juice, Rum Fire and broadcast media channels TVJ, TVJSN, RJR 94FM, HITZ 92FM and Power 106FM.
