FOR the past two years, the Norman Singh Memorial Turf Club, located on the West Coast of Berbice, has played host to telecommunications service provider Digicel (Guyana) Incorporated’s grand one day of horse racing called the Digicel Horse Racing Classic (DHRC).

This year, the Bush Lot Corentyne-based Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) which in its own rights is Guyana’s oldest horse racing club, will host the DHRC on Thursday August 1 from 12:00hrs, with over eight exciting races set for the day.
At a simple launching ceremony held at Digicel’s Fort and Barrack Streets, Kingston office yesterday morning, the coordinator of the day’s event, Compton Sancho, said registration is going apace for the day’s event, with horse owners looking to get their entries in early.
“Horse owners are registering their horses at a fast pace for this event, since they know no late entries will be accepted by the authorities, especially with the starting gate being built to hold 12 horses,” stated Sancho.
Horses such as Score’s Even, California Strike, Eddie’s Vision, The Message, Got to Go, Settle in Seattle, Grand de Roja, Donut Prince, Marathon Man, Captain Crook, Prado’s Gold and Top of the Line are just some on the list whose owners and trainers have signalled their intentions to compete.
And why not, when close to G$10M in cash and prizes will be up for grabs, with two feature events set for the day, with the first being for three-year-old Guyana and West Indies-bred horses, covering a distance of one mile and carrying a first prize of G$1.3M.
The second feature event is the final race of the day and will see horses classified B and Lower, do battle over the same distance as the penultimate race, but this time with a first prize of G$2.5M, an increase of $500 000 in comparison to last year’s winning purse.
“Digicel has seen it possible to take this event to the KMTC this year, whereby they are spreading their wings with each community and I think it will be a Classic to witness, filled with excitement while we have very good facilities at the venue with the track being in excellent shape despite the weather.
“We have a lot of entries from the big stables so far, such as the Jumbo Jet, Sheriff Racing, Kris Jagdeo, Elcock, and Habibullah Stables, who are all awaiting the big day to compete, while Digicel is improving leaps and bounds when it comes to their corporate duties as it relates to enhancing sports in Guyana, with Gavin Hope (Sponsorship Manager) and Shonnet Moore (PRO) doing an excellent job.”
Honorary President of KMTC and Retired Chancellor of the Judiciary Cecil Kennard said there has not been a race meeting in Guyana since April 14, due to the continuous rainfall, which means horse owners are eager to compete in the upcoming meeting, while turfites have been starved of horse racing.
“I am asking many turfites as possible to come forth and support Digicel, who we all know has been doing a fantastic job not only for horse racing, but other sporting activities in Guyana, hence we need to appreciate their contribution as a corporate entity in Guyana.
Now that they have cemented the KMTC for the hosting of their third Classic, they will not be disappointed as our track is one with the cleanest environment in this country. We have proper toilet facilities and attendants will be on hand to ensure the toilet areas are kept clean at all times.”
He added, “The paddock area is well kept as well, as we have running water for the horses and we ensure that is so. When people support KMTC, they must say at the end of the day the promotion of horseracing is high on the agenda with us, while I must say thanks to Digicel for organising this attractive meeting that is coming up.”
According to Hope, Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events Manager, lots of giveaways, which he refused to disclose at the moment, will be up for grabs by horseracing fans and turfites during the day. He called on them to come out and throw their support behind this event, which promises to be an exciting one.
“Indeed we have a lot to offer and with Digicel, it is not just about horseracing. Whenever we have an activity or signature activity, whenever you leave, it must be an event that you should remember. Additionally, we have special handset offers and lots of giveaways for patrons, so we wish to urge all Guyanese to come out and see a classic event on August 1.”
Entries for the event close tomorrow and horse owners and trainers are reminded that if there are less than five horses entered for any event, the club reserves the right to cancel or reframe the said event, but only after consultation is done with the horse owners.
Added to that, five horses must be entered for any event if a third place prize is to be paid and an additional two horses if a fourth place prize is to be paid, with admission to the event being $1 500 to adults and $600 for children.