The 2024 horse racing season in Jamaica was a roller-coaster ride of emotions, filled with heart-stopping moments, nail-biting finishes, and record-breaking wins.

However, the season wasn’t all smooth sailing as controversy and heated debates also made headlines. Despite the challenges, however, the spirit of horse racing in Jamaica remained unbroken.

Today, the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide team takes you on a journey reliving the top 10 moments of the season. From thrilling wins to shocking upsets, our expert analysts have carefully curated the most unforgettable moments that captivated the racing community and the broader Jamaican public.

While opinions may vary, one thing is certain — this list is sure to spark lively discussion and reignite the passion of the season.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the top six to 10 moments of the 2024 horse racing season. And be sure to tune in to next week’s edition of The Supreme Racing Guide for the top 5.

6 – CROWN CHASER’S JAMAICA DERBY WIN

In a heart-pounding, neck-and-neck finish, Crown Chaser delivered an electrifying performance to claim victory in the 2024 Jamaica Derby Classic race, leaving the Caymanas Park crowd on the edge of their seats on Tuesday, August 6. Trained by Anthony Nunes and Shane Ellis Crown Chaser unleashed a blistering pace on the inside rails in deep stretch, edging out Run Julie Run (Reyan Lewis) by a mere half-length. Captain Sparrow (Edgard Zayas), Crown Chaser’s stablemate, was hot on their heels, just a neck behind, while the 4-5 favourite, Intrestntimesahead (Tevin Foster), completed the frame in the Futurity contest for native-bred three-year-olds over 12 furlongs (2,400m). Crown Chaser, owned by Chevan Maharaj, crossed the line in a winning time of 2:38.0 (23.3 x 48.4 x 1:17.1 x 1:42.2), propelling himself to the status of top native-bred three-year-old at present.

For trainer Anthony Nunes it was his sixth victory in the Derby, after previous wins by Terremoto, Relampago, Orpheus, Technomoto, and Supreme Soul. For the man known as the ‘big’ race jockey, Shane Ellis, it was an eye-crunching seventh win in the Jamaica Derby. Ellis, who has made the Classic races his own in recent times, previously secured Derby wins atop Awesome Power, Relampago, Orpheus, Supreme Soul, Calculus, and Typewriter. While all the Derby accolades will forever rest with Crown Chaser, praise has to be afforded to the performance of the filly, Run Julie Run. She ran her heart out, losing by a whisker when the winning post arrived. Yet, despite this second-place finish in the Derby, Run Julie Run went on to become the first of her three-year-old cohort to be successful in open company, thereby laying strong claim to be the best three-year-old among the locally bred horses in 2024.

7 – RADDESH ROMAN RIDES SIX WINNERS

Raddesh Roman rode an impressive six winners at Caymanas Park on Sunday, January 28, 2024. It was the first time in his career that Roman rode six winners on a single race programme, joining an elite group of riders to have done so. Roman’s winners were Sensational Move, A Gift From Ben, Crown Chaser, Wow How, Dodge This Link, and Great Wayne. Roman continued his good form during the course of the year, riding three and four winners on a regular basis, on his way to achieving the stated milestone of becoming champion jockey.

8 – THE ABANDONMENT OF RACES ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024 DUE TO START TIMES

The decision to abandon these races — race one and race six — was due to the amendment of Rule 44 of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) Racing Rules 1977 concerning race start times. Race one, which had a scheduled off time of 12:00 pm, was abandoned at approximately 12:25 pm. The delay of the first race was due to a saddling issue with Boss Izzy, while Timetosaygoodye was subject to a mandatory JRC veterinary check after rearing and falling after exiting the saddling barn. The sixth event was abandoned at approximately 3:27 pm, 17 minutes after the scheduled time of 3:10 pm. This race was called off after Edina Marsh broke out on the racetrack before the horses began to load for the start of race six. The bay mare eventually left the racetrack, and the horses were still parading behind the starting gate. Following a heated exchange between stakeholders and JRC members on the North Lounge Floor of the building, live horse racing resumed at approximately 4:00 pm. The amendment to Rule 44 means that once a post time for a race is made official, for example 12:40 pm, that race can be abandoned by the race day stewards if the starter does not press the start button within five minutes after the published post time.

This issue sparked a lot of issues leading to the intervention of then portfolio minister Dr Nigel Clarke. At a meeting called by Dr Clarke with stakeholders, definite procedures were outlined for the smooth continuation of races.

9 – MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENTS FOR TRAINER JASON DACOSTA AND JOCKEYS PAUL FRANCIS, TEVIN FOSTER, OSHANE NUGENT, REYAN LEWIS

DaCosta had reached the milestone of 300 wins at Caymanas Park in just over 3½ years. DaCosta, who also trains in the United States, has over 400 winners in that country. This significant local achievement by the trainer came courtesy of his talented three-year-old American-bred colt Funcaandun, who dominated the Distinctly Irish Trophy feature race, a Graded Stakes/Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward horses over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m) on Saturday, August 24, 2024. Francis and Foster both achieved significant milestones in their careers, adding to their impressive reputations in the industry on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Francis reached his 800th career win in the second race aboard Another Wave, trained by Adrian Prince. Earlier in the day, Foster recorded his 300th career win in the opening event, riding Absolute Blue to victory for trainer Ryan Darby. Nugent celebrated the achievement of his 100th career winner at Caymanas Park aboard four-year-old grey filly Tequila Flight on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Caymanas Park. Years of dedication and hard work culminated in this occasion, as Nugent secured victory aboard the Steven Todd trainee in the fifth race, a maiden condition event for native-bred four-year-olds and upward over 7 furlongs (1,400m).

Saturday, September 21, 2024, will be etched forever in Lewis’s memory. On this momentous day, he secured his 300th career win aboard the Anthony Nunes-conditioned Playfair. The 300th win came in the fifth race, a Restricted Allowance contest for native-bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two) and imported three-year-olds and upward (maidens) over six and a half furlongs (1,300m).

10 – ATOMICA’S THIRD-CONSECUTIVE JAMAICA CUP WIN

Saturday, November 9, 2024, the $6-million Jamaica Cup unfolded as a testament to resilience, showcasing
Atomica’s majestic reversal of fortune as the then five-year-old chestnut mare, ridden by Dane Dawkins, silenced sceptics with a gate-to-wire victory. Atomica’s recent defeats to Funcaandun had sparked doubts about her potential to compete against younger and improving horses. However, she dispelled those concerns with authority, dominating the nine-and-a-half furlong (1,900m) Graded Stakes contest for three-year-olds and upward. She crossed the finishing line three parts of a length ahead of the fast-finishing Run Julie Run.
Funcaandun was third. Atomica’s triumphant victory, timed at 2:00.1 (24.3 x 48.3 x 1:13.4 x 1:40.3), marked her third-consecutive Jamaica Cup title (2022-2024).