Hall of Fame race day is back

The Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame Race Day is back after a six-year absence as a prelude to the Jamaica Derby. The event takes place at Caymanas Park on June 17, signalling the start of the Hall of Fame week of activities.

Details were outlined at yesterday's launch at the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission offices on Hagley Park Road by Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) chairman Anthony Shoucair and racing secretary of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited Denzil Miller Jr.

PROGRAMME FEATURE

The programme will feature the 22nd running of the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy (Grade II) over 1200 metres for open allowance horses, with a purse of $1,250,000 of which $100,000 is donated by the commission.

The week of activities will begin with the race meet and culminate with the annual Hall of Fame awards banquet on Thursday, June 22, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, two days before the Jamaica Derby.

This year's guest speaker at the awards banquet will be Darren Fox, who is associated with the Godolphin Flying Start Programme.

Shoucair said that he is happy that the Hall Of Fame week is back on track.

"It was due to financial constraints why it wasn't held for the past six years, but this year, we got sponsorship, and so we are able to put it on," said Shoucair.

Miller, in providing race day details, said that he expected an entertaining week of activities.

"We are very excited to be hosting the 22nd running of the Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy. It's been a really good event," said Miller.

"It actually starts our weeklong celebrations and puts the focus on the Jamaica Derby, which comes on June 24," he said.

Miller added that there would be a Hall of Fame induction ceremony during the week to recognise persons who have given outstanding contributions to the sport.