MORE than G$65 million in cash and prizes will be up for grabs on Sunday August 23 at the 18th annual Guyana Cup horse race at Rising Sun Turf Club.

This will be the most lucrative, exotic and most organised event in the history of the sport of kings in Guyana, with legislation in full flow.

Organised by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred racing committee, this Guyana Cup is expected to attract all the top horses and jockeys from across the region.

The Guyana Cup was launched on Thursday evening at the AC Marriott hotel at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, where it was disclosed that 14 races will be running at this year’s Guyana Cup.

The feature race which will be the Banks Guyana Cup will fetch a purse of G$22 million.

Additionally, one lucky patron will drive away with a brand new Sinotruk pick-up on Guyana Cup race day.

Speaking at the launch was CEO of Jumbo Jet Events, Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr., highlighted the continued growth of the marquee sporting event, and confirmed that Dataman is set to defend his crown.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., hailed the success and development of the Guyana Cup over the years.

Ramson noted that the Guyana Cup continues to drive economic growth in Berbice, and across the country in general.

The minister also officially announced the members who will lead the nation’s first horse racing authority board.

Slingerz Racing Stables, and Js Racing Stables will also add more top horses to their roster to fuel the excitement of Guyana Cup.

Dr Steven Cheefoon will serve as chairman with members including Adrian Anamayah, Dr Nardeo Bassoodeo, Amernath Kiritpal, Zahir Khan, Poonai Bhigroog and councilor Mohamed Naeem Kamal.

Gracing the Guyana Cup launch was also President of the Barbados Turf Club, Kevin Burke, Sonya Forrester of main sponsor Banks DIH Limited and Operations Manager of the Guyana Cup, Andre Rochford, who all made remarks.

The races for Guyana Cup 2026 are:

• Banks Guyana Cup (One Mile)- Total purse G$22,500,000
• Peter Lewis Guyana Cup Sprint (5 ½ Furlong)- Total purse G$7,500,000
• Forrester’s Imported Derby (One Mile)- Total purse G$7,500,000
• Mohamed’s Excavating Sir Balaji Derby (One Mile)- Total purse G$5,625,000
• J’s Imported Juvenile Fillies Sprint (5 ½ Furlong)- Total purse G$3,750,000
• BM. Soat Locally Bred Dash (5 ½ Furlong)- Total purse G$2,812,500
• P. Jagdeo E-Class (One Mile)- Total purse G$2,812,500
• Jagmohan F-Class (One Mile)- Total purse G$1,875,000
• ARONCO H-Class (One Mile)- Total purse G$1,875,000
• C.I. H3 N.W.3 (One Mile)- Total purse G$1,875,000
• Avinash Local Maidens (One Mile)- Total purse G$2,812,500
• Big G’s J-Class (One Mile)- Total purse G$1,875,000
• Garen Pro K-Class (One Mile)- Total purse G$1,875,000
• Sawh L Class Sprint (One Mile)- Total purse G$1,875,000