Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Harry Smith (left), commercial director of Digicel, hands over the Sir John Mordecai Trophy to Caymanas Track Limited's acting chief executive officer, Walford Brown, at yesterday's Derby launch at Caymanas Park. Looking on is Ruth Smith-Sutherland, general manager of the Jamaica Racing Commission. This trophy will be replaced with a newer one donated by Digicel. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE 85TH running of the Digicel Jamaica Derby will take place at Caymanas Park on Saturday, June 4 and, with a new sponsor in place, the day promises to be bigger and better than ever.
To begin with, Digicel has committed a whopping $3 million to purses for the day, including $1 million to the Derby, along with a new silver trophy acquired in South America, this replacing the long-standing Sir John Mordecai Derby Trophy.
In addition, the mobile communications giant has contributed substantially to four other sponsored races on the card, including the fifth running of the $1.25 million Digicel Irish Jamaican (graded stakes) over 1300 metres, a race which was previously run towards the end of August but has been brought forward this year as part of the Digicel Derby Day package.
MORE CONTRIBUTION
If that wasn't enough, Digicel has contributed $50,000 each to supplement the purses of six other races on the card and $25,000 each to the two remaining races, an extraordinary move on their part.
Plans for the big day were outlined by representatives of Digicel and Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) at yesterday's launch under the tent near the main entrance to Caymanas Park.
Speaking on behalf of Digicel, Harry Smith, the company's commercial director, said he was delighted to open a new and exciting chapter to one of the nation's oldest, much loved and sought-after events.
"Racing fans, breeders, owners, trainers and jockeys look out! Digicel, the bigger, better GSM Network will bring you a bigger, better more prestigious Derby come June 4," Smith said.
"Indeed, racing experts contend that the Jamaica Derby has the distinction of being the most well-supported event in the island's horse racing calendar. It is undoubtedly the Caribbean's number one Derby and the most prestigious horse racing event in the region.
"At Digicel we celebrate Jamaican greatness. It should then come as no surprise that we want to celebrate the importance and far-reaching impact of this blue-ribbon event," he said.
Taking time out to thank the previous sponsors Red Stripe, for ensuring the prestige of the Derby remained intact, Smith went on to thank the board of directors of CTL and its forward thinking marketing team for strategies which have continued "this tradition of racing excellence".
"Now Digicel's partnership has grown with this move to take over the sponsorship of the Jamaica Derby.... As a fellow company providing employment in Jamaica and the region at large, Digicel is happy with the association and synergy between itself and CTL," he said.
"We have given and still continue to give our financial backing to Special Olympics, Caribbean Cup football and West Indies cricket... and Digicel sees the Derby as another way in which it can make a valid contribution to developing the sporting talents of the people of the region. We want to maintain the tradition of prestige, pageantry and glory associated with the Derby," he concluded.
CONTINUED SUPPORT
In his turn, CTL's chairman, William Chin-See, noted that this marked the fifth year of Digicel's involvement in racing and the promoters were happy to see them being associated with the Derby for the first time.
In providing raceday details, CTL's racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr. described the promotion as "an all new Derby Day programme".
He said, all being well, the field will include the April 2, 2000 Guineas winner, Richard Azan's COLTRANE, in a grand showdown with the Guineas runner-up and subsequent Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner MIRACLE MAN from the stables of veteran 'Hall of Fame' trainer Allan 'Billy' Williams, as well as the Courts Jamaica Oaks heroine ALL FOR PLEASURE from the stables of champion trainer Philip Feanny, the Azan-trained ROYAL COMMAND, who was a fast-finishing third in the 2000 Guineas, AD INFINITUM from the Anthony 'Baba' Nunes stables, stable-companions ESTOY LISTO and TWEEDSIDE, HAIL THE I and NATURAL DESIRE.
