GUYANA’S leading jockey for the Year 2024 Ronaldo Appadu displayed bravery, as he promised and delivered with a remarkable win on Sunday last at the Jumbo Jet Race of Champions horse-race meet.
Appadu piloted Stolen Money to a heist at Rising Sun Turf Club, where he stunned Guyana’s Horse-of-the-Year Spankurst. The young jock was brimming with confidence before the race.

“I am coming with blood in my eyes,” Appadu said before the feature event at Rising Sun. With only three starters in the feature race, Spankurst was the overwhelming favourite, while John Bull was eager for a good outing. The underdog horse, Stolen Money, was now being conditioned by the veteran Fazal Habibulla, and the owner, Dennis Deroop was over the moon after Sunday’s victory.

“Since at Port Mourant I had to beat Spankhurst. I came here today, and the field was thin, and I know I had to position myself. Going up the three furlong, Jockey (Kiran) Razack came on me, but I ran on the outside, and Stolen Money delivered. Look out for Stolen Money at Guyana Cup, and I am taking the champion jockey for 2024,” Appadu said.

Meanwhile, Deroop said his horse, Stolen Money, has shown improvement, race-after- race, and a big win was promised here. “This win was dedicated to the fans of Stolen Money, which is a very loved horse. We will take Stolen Money on a break, and prepare for the Guyana Cup (on August 11),” Deroop disclosed.

On normal occasions, Spankhurst will usually be the horse that goes to front, but John Bull had an early start, while Stolen Money closely trailed, but made the killer blow on the homestretch. “I told the jockey once he is five lengths behind, he will win. When he was going on the backstretch, he was full of running, and I thought he had them,” Deroop said.

The next race day is set for Port Mourant Turf Club at a tentative date of May 26.