Superstakes set for return in 2021

Robert Bailey

Gleaner Writer

Chairman of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), Solomon Sharpe, has revealed that the Jamaica Superstakes could make a return to the local racing calendar this year.

The Superstakes, which has in the past attracted the country’s best horses, was cancelled last year as SVREL failed to secure sponsorship in a year in which the racing industry was severely affected by the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Sharpe told The Gleaner that details of the race are currently being worked out and more information will be available soon.

“There is the possibility of the Superstakes or similar product this year, but all those announcements will be made shortly,” said Sharpe.

"We want it (Superstakes) to be massive, and we are definitely working on a purse structure where everybody has a chance to go home with some money,” he said. The Superstakes is usually held in November of each year, and Sharpe indicated that they are planning to have the event around the same time this year.

Meanwhile, Howard Hamilton, president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, said his organisation welcomed the news and he is now hoping that a lot more races with big purses will be staged by the promoting company this year.

“We are suffering as it is right now without any adequate purse to pay the expenses that we are incurring,” said Hamilton.

“The Diamond Mile is not being run again, and so we, the owners and breeders, are suffering because every day the cost of feed goes up, every day the vet fees go up, and so we can’t continue like this," he said, adding that the big races and rich purses are needed to help the trainers and owners can increase their earnings.