With the 2025 Jamaica Derby just days away, racing fans are turning their gaze backward—to the thrilling line-up that graced Caymanas Park a year ago.
Eleven hopefuls came down the stretch in 2024, each chasing glory, but where are they now? Triumphs, setbacks, and transformations—it's time to dissect the journeys that followed after the Derby.
This progress report is done in finishing order.
FIRST: CROWN CHASER - The 2024 Derby champion has had a challenging road to recovery. Crown Chaser was poised to return last October but was a late scratch. After 361 days off from competitive racing, he finally resurfaced on August 2, 2025, finishing fifth in a four-year-old non-winners-of-three event. Once he shakes off the cobwebs, Crown Chaser will win again. yet roar again.
SECOND: RUN JULIE RUN - She lost the Derby in a heart-stopping finish, but since then, Run Julie Run has become the principal of her generation. Skipping the Mouttet Mile in favour of the Chairman’s Plate, she stormed to a 5½-length victory. Now thriving in Open Allowance and sniffing around Graded company.
THIRD: CAPTAIN SPARROW - After floundering post-Derby, Captain Sparrow charted a steady path to redemption. He found his fourth career win this July—finally earning his stripes in Overnight Allowance. While he hasn’t flown just yet, there’s promise beneath his sails.
FOURTH: INTRESTNTIMESAHEAD - Once tipped to dominate after winning the St Leger, this colt has been battling inconsistency and possible health woes. One solitary win in Overnight ranks since Derby Day tells a sobering story.
FIFTH: PROVIDENT - He disappeared from the spotlight for a while due to health setbacks. But in mid-2025, Provident made a return—scoring two wins and re-establishing himself as a serious contender. He’s on the brink of completing his conditions but may find the jump to Overnight Allowance a tall order.
SIXTH: KING PIYE Still lingering at condition level, King Piye continues to circle the track without yet finding his stride. The raw potential remains.
SEVENTH: ZULU WARRIOR - Zulu Warrior needs one more victory to qualify for Overnight class. He’ll likely get there soon—but beyond that, the terrain gets rough.
EIGHTH: CALIFORNIA CROWN - A speed merchant with pure sprinting prowess, California Crown has clinched wins in Overnight and Open Allowance. Still, when stacked against imported talent, he’s struggled.
NINTH: MACK AND ROME - Three wins from 19 starts paints the picture of a grinder—not flashy but capable. A fourth win and an Overnight ticket await, but the step up might be difficult.
TENTH: BOLD MOVE - Back-to-back victories have catapulted this bay colt into the Overnight division. A pure sprinter in an era that favours speed, Bold Move will probably win Overnight, then it will be difficult.
ELEVENTH: OIL MACHINE - Finally broke through for win number three on August 2, 2025—after a 29-start campaign. With eight runner-up finishes to his name and an ability to compete across distances, Oil Machine is versatile enough to complete his conditions and maybe surprise a few.
