HORSE owners and trainers of horses classified J1 and Lower need not worry about the prize money for next week Friday’s Boxing Day horse race meeting, organised by the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) of Bush Lot, Corentyne, Berbice.

This is because the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI), as part of their corporate responsibility, yesterday threw their support into the upcoming event by sponsoring the above-mentioned race meet to the tune of $375 000, when the meet is held at the club’s Bush Lot Farm track.
This is the fourth occasion that the company is supporting the turf club for the year, having partnered with them in previous meetings. The winner of the J1 and Lower event pockets $200,000, while the second-, third- and fourth-place finishers will collect $100 000, $50 000 and $ 25 000 respectively.
Honorary president of the KMTC, Retired Chief Justice Cecil Kennard, in receiving the sponsorship, described the upcoming event as “the big Boxing Day horse race meet,” adding that it will be featuring some of Guyana’s finest-bred horses.
“It’s important that we express our gratitude to Berbice Bridge Company Inc. for coming on board again, because as we all know, no sporting activity can be successfully promoted without sponsors.
“I wish to thank Berbice Bridge Company Inc. once again and we are looking forward to continued support in the future,” said Kennard in his usual soft-spoken manner, while disclosing that the weather at the venue was excellent to date and the track is in immaculate condition.
Kennard also indicated that most systems are already in place for the race meet, indicating that a massive renovation to the tune of $1.2M is currently being undertaken by the management of KMTC, so that patrons visiting the venue can do so comfortably.
BBCI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Omadat Samaroo said the company is pleased to once again support the KMTC for the year.
“This is not our first sponsorship with the club we have been sponsoring them throughout the year.
“The sport creates great attractions not only to Berbicians but also those fans who come from as far as Linden and at times the West Coast of Demerara and even Suriname and other foreign countries to witness the events, while the proceeds are used by the club to upgrade and upkeep the track and facilities there,” said Samaroo.
Meanwhile, the organisers have added a race for K Class animals with several changes being made to the original programme that was previously publicised.
The feature event which was catering to horses classified A3 and Lower, will now cater for entries classified A1 and Lower with the G1 race now being replaced by an event for horses classified as F1.
The feature event on the day’s card will run for six furlongs for a top prize of $1M, with the second-place finisher set to receive $500 000, with third and fourth pocketing $250 000 and $125 000 respectively.
Other events billed for the day are the D3 with a winning purse of $500 000; the G3 for a $300 000 winner’s purse over five furlongs; and the J3 for $150 000 winner’s take over five furlongs as well.
The owner of the winning horse for the I1 and F1 races will collect $250 000 and $320 000 respectively and registration for the meeting closes on December 20. No late entries will being accepted.
Horses can be entered through Roopnarine Matadial on 325-3192; Ivan Dipnarine on 331-0316; Kennard on 623-7609, 225-4818 or 226-1399; Dennis DeRoop on 325-3301 or 609-9143; and Fazil Habibula on 657-7010.