Against the backdrop of the ravages of Hurricane Melissa in late October 2025, the local racing industry has demonstrated a profound resilience—one rooted in the deep love of the sport among the current cohort of owners and backed by the tireless support of trainers and other occupational groups.
The October storm’s record intensity threatened the energy security of the entire island, with infrastructural damage and public power grid failures knocking out electricity for many of the promoters’ and bookmakers’ points of sale. Three vital breeding establishments suffered similar operational challenges but, fortunately, physical damage to the thoroughbred population was minimal.
At the start of the year, with the devastation of the hurricane still looming large in the rear-view mirror, those affected had barely actualised any recovery plans or secured the financial resources needed for even the barest sense of economic rehabilitation. The fraternity could only hope and pray that the industry would be spared from any similar eventuality in the foreseeable future. Now, six months into the year, the hope is that the increasingly erratic patterns of global weather will spare the vulnerable Caribbean territories from further severe impacts.
THE MID-SEASON TRAINERS' AND JOCKEYS' STANDINGS
Despite the turbulence, the statistics from the 39 race meetings—which offered 382 races in total—reveal that 2026 is effectively a continuation of last season’s competitive narratives.
In the trainers' ranks, four-time champion and defending titlist Jason DaCosta currently holds a lead of around $4.5 million in stakes over former three-time champion Anthony Nunes. However, the dynamics could conceivably shift in the second half of 2026. Trainer Nunes has secured the assistance of his nephew Nigel Burke—a talented conditioner who saddled his first winner at Caymanas Park in 2017 and has spent the last decade accumulating over US$1.0 million in stakes earnings across Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, and the USA. It will be fascinating to watch where the big purses land as their partnership develops.
Speaking of trainers, third-generation horseman Peter-John Parsard currently sits third in the standings. Since January, Parsard has saddled an impressive 31 winners from 102 declarations, with another 37 of his runners finishing in second or third. Also making a significant mark is second-generation conditioner Adrian Prince, who has secured 13 wins from 65 starts, with an additional 25 horses hitting the board in second or third.
On the jockey side, two-time champion Raddesh Roman will commence the second half of the season at the top of the standings with 54 winners—13 clear of Tevin Foster—while 2022 champion Dane Dawkins remains within striking distance on 38.
The riding ranks have also been heavily boosted by the 2024 graduates of the Jamaica Racing Commission Riding School, five of whom have performed with distinction.
- Tajay Suckoo: 31 wins
- Richard Shakes: 24 wins
- Jaheim Anderson: 18 wins
- Demar Williams: 14 wins
- Shaheem Gordon: 13 wins
Between them, this talented quintet has accounted for 101 winners and accumulated a massive volume of minor placings from their collective total of 762 mounts.
THE 100TH ST LEGER: A CLASSIC SHOWDOWN
The second half of the season kicks off in spectacular fashion with a two-day meeting featuring 10-race cards on each day. The crown jewel of the weekend is the historic 100th renewal of the St Leger on day two, which features a field of 13 declared hopefuls.
Significantly, the 2025 juvenile champion We Jammin returns to the line-up. After a below-par showing in The Kingston and a subsequent absence from the 2000 Guineas, the colt is back on the track and working well enough in the mornings to command serious attention. Truth be told, the Parsard-schooled runner previously established absolute superiority over his peers with an easy, five-length demolition of the Prince Consort stakes.
A Note on Transparency
The exact nature of the setback We Jammin suffered has not been officially explained. In other major racing jurisdictions worldwide, comprehensive veterinary reports on high-profile horses are routinely released to the public by regulatory bodies. Local turfites and bettors certainly deserve to be treated with that same level of transparency and esteem.
The outcomes of the opening Classics over the mile—the fillies’ 1000 Guineas and the colts and geldings’ 2000 Guineas—offered plenty of tactical enlightenment for this upcoming 10-furlong test.
The 1000 Guineas was captured by Dream Catcher, whilst the 2000 Guineas went to Salute The Don, who produced a remarkable performance after stumbling and trying to avoid a large puddle immediately as the gates opened. Furthermore, Salute The Don was hemmed in on the rails by a front-runner for two furlongs down the backstretch before eventually extricating himself in the straight to score by three-quarters of a length.
His stablemate and runner-up, Stardom, had legitimate excuses as well, having been forced to run wide at the top of the stretch before needing to alter his course inside the final furlong. Both of these colts possess the stamina to relish the gruelling 10 furlongs of the St Leger and will head the betting market alongside the rehabilitated We Jammin.
Given the significantly faster time posted in the 2000 Guineas (1:39.4) as opposed to the 1000 Guineas (1:41.2), the inevitable question of whether the heroine Dream Catcher can truly match strides with the opposite sex has been legitimately raised. However, the five-pound sex allowance afforded to the lone filly should be a significant factor, especially given her genuine finishing speed.
There is also the intriguing possibility of further classic development from the minor placings: Strong Aveenu (third by a length) and Mohanlan (fourth by four lengths in the 2000 Guineas) may well have improved significantly since their last outings.
Ultimately, a victory for either Salute The Don or Dream Catcher on day two will provide a massive promotional fillip for the upcoming Jamaica Derby, keeping the thrilling narrative of a Triple Crown glory bid alive as a major selling point for Independence Day.
