Dissecting Results – Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Against the background of a cohort of principal 2025 Classic contenders being best described as just above moderate, the 105^th 12-furlongs Jamaica Derby, generated talking points not only on the likely outcome, but these concerns also inevitably include underinvestment in the breeding industry, which is an existential threat to local horse racing.

The breeding sheds have averaged a yield of under 150 foals over each of the last five seasons is a cause for concern. The expense of importing thoroughbreds is expected to increase significantly with the precipitous decline of the stud farms in the USA.

With the 2000 Guineas winner Sensational Soul (2-1) retreating tamely from three furlongs out, effectively reduced the event to a I Dream Again (5-2) versus Burning Hedge (3-2 fav) match.

As confirmed in his post-race interview, champion trainer Jason Dacosta, for his first Derby success, prepared I Dream Again, winner of the St Leger, for frontrunning tactics. Robert Halledeen executed the game plan with confidence. The 1000 Guineas winner and St. Leger third, Burning Hedge, created scary moments with a very brave effort under the guidance of 2011 champion Dick Cardenas.

Burning Hedge held every chance and pointed inside the last furlong but found I Dream Again, the now declared 2025 three-year-old champion, not giving her any advantage. However, this finish for her was a length closer than that of the St Leger.

The surprise of the Derby was the Gary Subratie-conditioned filly Pretty Perfect (43-1), stable companion of Sensational Soul, who shares the same ownership, staying on well to be three lengths third.  

The opening event of eleven and contested over the extended circular nine -furlongs course, went to 9-5 bet Pappie Don, declared by Gregg Fennell and ridden by champion and 2025 runaway leader Raddesh Roman (77) to a one-length margin of victory. 

Roman’s fortune declined dramatically as, after finishing second in race two, he fell from mounts Papi Uso (9-5) in race seven and Valley of Love (4-1) in race eight and was rendered idle for the rest of the card as an injury precautionary measure.

Phillip Parchment, sitting president of the Jockeys’ Guild, was aboard Loredo (5-2), trained by Paul Swaby to win race two over the straight course by all of five lengths.

Over the same trip, race three went to 4-5 favourite, Whisky, saddled by owner Dennis Lee, won by over six lengths.

In race five, it was the first of double for claimer Tyrese Anderson with Adrian Prince’s Zulu Warrior (2-1) always clear to score by five and a half lengths over the seven furlongs.

In race six, run on the five furlongs round, Anderson was aboard first-past-the-post Radam (27-1) but justifiably disqualified and the positions with First Offence (5-1), three parts of a length second, reversed following an inquiry and jockey’s objection by Dane Dawkins.

Pretty Brown Ting (7-2), racing for the second time, won race seven by eight lengths with jockey Wesley Henry declared by trainer Joseph Thomas for the seven-furlong gallop.

To close his double in race eight, Anderson made no errors in piloting Military Light (7/5) to a three parts of a length success over the six furlongs for trainer Gary Griffiths.

Before the Derby, which was run as the closing event, the DaCosta and Halledeen partnership secured races nine and ten. Girvano (4-5) won the seven-and-a-half-furlongs ninth by just over three lengths on the wet-fast track.

Then for race ten, this racing surface, freshened by a short, sharp but heavy passing shower, was relished by the appropriately named H Two O (1-5) as he cantered in by over eight lengths in a time of 1:26.3 for the seven furlongs of exertion.