Endless Victory struck the front in the nick of time to book his ticket to a Classic trial by winning the bet365 EBF ‘Confined’ Novice Stakes at Newmarket.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, the son of Teofilo was well-backed prior to the 10-furlong event and was sent off the even-money favourite in the hands of Godolphin number one William Buick.
A taking winner on his debut at Wolverhampton in the winter, he confirmed that promise by pulling out all the stops to run down Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Salamanca, with the winning distance only a short head.
The colt – a full-brother to Appleby’s Melbourne Cup hero Cross Counter – holds an entry in the Dante, but the Moulton Paddocks handler suggested it could be the Lingfield Derby Trial on May 11 that proves his next port of call as he shuffles his swelling Classic hand.
Appleby said: “They’re all in the same boat, he had obviously just won around Wolverhampton (previously) and has come here for his first start on turf.
“It looked a sensible race on paper and they are probably a nice field of horses going forward and for our fellow to do what he’s done, I’m very pleased.
“I think he is a horse that will progress as we go up in trip. Everyone will be asking is he a Derby horse? Well, he’s still got a bit to do yet and we’ll see how much he improves for this run and whether we look at one of the trials.
“Arabian Crown will probably go to Sandown and maybe this horse can go to Lingfield or something like that, a race we like to support if we can.”
Chapple-Hyam may have missed out on a double with the narrow defeat of Salamanca, but can take comfort that her Rolica booked her ticket to the Qipco 1000 Guineas when Hollie Doyle got the better of husband Tom Marquand.
A 9-2 chance for the Rossdales Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, the daughter of Lope De Vega was a beaten favourite on debut at Nottingham last autumn, but was a sharper model on her three-year-old bow, showing a good attitude to wear down the Marquand-ridden 9-4 joint-favourite Vicario.
“We got confidence from her galloping companion Mallavelly who was second yesterday in the mile maiden and thankfully she has done the job,” said Chapple-Hyam.
“I think Mallavelly has shown she wants further, so if Mr Harris (Peter, owner) is happy I would like this filly to take her chance – she’s a Guineas filly.
“She was third at Nottingham on a very heavy track, but she’s wintered well and done everything right and I’m just thrilled to have this Lope De Vega.”
Although unsuccessful aboard Vicario, Marquand did find the scoresheet with Woodhay Wonder as Tom Ward’s star filly sprinted to a third straight win in the opening bet365 Handicap.
A real money-spinner for connections last term, she proved could still be a forced to be reckoned with at three as she led from start to finish in the six-furlong event.
“She’s been great and a lot of fun and they’ve done a fantastic job with her to get her ready to go ‘bang’ on her first start of the year,” said Marquand.
“She paid her way just fine last year and after a year like that there is always the question of if they will train on and do the same, but she’s started on the right path and hopefully she will keep on improving.”
The concluding Consign With The National Stud Handicap went the way of Karl Burke’s Poet Master (100-30 favourite) who was registering his fourth win in five starts off a mark of 100.
He could now have bigger assignments in store and his handler said: “He’s got a lot of ability and I think he’s a Group horse in the making. We thought he would be very competitive off 100.
“I would say he will go to the Listed race at Haydock (Pertemps Network Spring Trophy Stakes) in a few weeks’ time. That would be a lovely track for him, a real front-runners’ track and he’s a horse to just let him do his own thing. A nice, level track like Haydock will be perfect for him.”
Guyana-based Olympic Kremlin to add Caribbean flavour to lucrative Mouttet Mile Invitational at Caymanas Park
As the excitement for the upcoming Mouttet Mile Invitational continues to build, another international contender joins the fray. Guyanese-based Olympic Kremlin is confirmed to participate in the Caribbean's richest horse race at Caymanas Park on December 7.
Olympic Kremlin, a seven-year-old chestnut horse, boasts an impressive pedigree and racing record. Bred in Brazil, he is sired by Japanese stallion Agnes Gold out of Sweet Lemonade by Lemon Drop Kid. The horse's career highlights include five victories in Brazil, earning close to US$90,000, and two wins from two starts in Guyana, including the prestigious Guyana Cup (August 22) and the President's Cup over a mile (September 22).
While in Jamaica, Olympic Kremlin will be trained by Alford Brown, who expressed confidence about his prospects.
"His preparation will be done throughout the entire month of November heading into the race. He has an outstanding chance, and I expect big things from him," Brown said.
Olympic Kremlin is set to arrive in Jamaica at the end of October, following a journey that will take him from Guyana to Miami before reaching the island. This move allows for a full month of local preparation before the big race.
Christopher Wills, VP Operations at Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), operators of Caymanas Park, welcomed the news.
"We're excited to have Olympic Kremlin joining the Mouttet Mile field. His participation further solidifies the race's status as a truly international event. The inclusion of such high-calibre horses from around the Caribbean and beyond is exactly what we envisioned when creating this prestigious race. We look forward to hosting Olympic Kremlin and his connections, and we're excited to see how he performs against our top local talent," he said.
Earlier this year, six prominent overseas-based horses—Sheer Delight, Pack Plays, Barnaby, Legacy Isle, Commandant, and Real Macho—expressed an interest in participating in Caymanas Park’s marquee race day.
The Mouttet Mile Invitational is a Grade One event for three-year-olds and upward going over a mile (1,600m) and in successive years has set the record for the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean. The 2024 purse is set at a historic US$250,000.
Last year’s Mouttet Mile was won by Rough Entry, an overseas entrant ridden by Canadian jockey Julien Leparoux. The addition of Olympic Kremlin to the Mouttet Mile field underscores the event's growing international appeal and Caymanas Park’s status as a premier racing destination in the Caribbean.
Trail to the Mile begins as 10 horses enter the prestigious Phillip Feanny Gold Cup
The highly anticipated 51st Running of the Phillip Feanny Gold Cup is set to showcase some of Jamaica's finest 3-year-old fillies as they compete over seven furlongs for a coveted purse of JMD$2.5 million. This Grade 3 event, part of the Jamaican Racing Calendar since 1967, was renamed last year in honour of Philip Feanny, OD, a true icon of Jamaican horse racing, affectionately known as 'The Maestro'.
Feanny, a Jamaica Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame inductee, holds the record for the most classic wins at Caymanas Park. His illustrious career includes conditioning the most Triple Crown winners and setting a World Record in 1992-93 for the most classic horse races won, with the legendary jockey Winston Griffiths, OD by his side.
his year’s race promises to add to the Gold Cup's rich legacy, which began with KILLOWATT’s win in 1967 and his repeated victories in 1968 and 1970. The track and stakes record of 1:22.4, set by Feanny's own EROS in 1994 and repeated in 1995, still stands, underscoring Feanny's enduring impact on the sport.
With 10 entries confirmed, the competition promises an exciting field as these top-tier fillies vie for glory. Among the contenders are Desert Malibu, Wall Street Trader, Atlantic Convoy, Funcaandun, Is That A Fact, Norblar, Further and Beyond, Intrestntimesahead, Banadura, and Major Danger. They will look to follow in the footsteps of last year's champion, SHE’S MY DESTINY, who came from behind to overtake Mahogany, the 2022 Horse of the Year runner-up.
The Phillip Feanny Gold Cup is part of an electrifying championship season that has already seen impressive victories. Recent winners include LOVISA in the BGLC/TOBA Millionaire Series Race, BRENDA BOY in The Reprieve Trophy, Impressive Force in The RonRon Trophy, and SISTREN TREASURE in The Typewriter Trophy.
As the race season unfolds, the competition among jockeys is equally intense. Raddesh Roman and Tevin Foster are locked in a fierce battle for the champion jockey title, each sitting at 99 wins for the season. Both are on the brink of the 100-win milestone, adding extra excitement as they prepare for the big race day.
As we head down the Trail to the Mile, all eyes are on Caymanas Park and the stellar field of fillies aiming to etch their names into the storied history of the Phillip Feanny Gold Cup. With a legacy built on excellence and passion for horse racing, the 2024 event promises to be yet another thrilling chapter in Jamaican horse racing history.
'Family man' Dane Dawkins targets more success on return to Caymanas Park after productive Canada stint
Jockey Dane Dawkins is brimming with confidence and ready to showcase his improved form at Caymanas Park on Saturday, following a successful stint in Canada that saw him rack up 25 wins.
The former champion rider, known for his tenacity and skill in the saddle, started slowly at the North American track, but he eventually found his rhythm and returned with more victories under his belt than in his previous overseas campaign in 2019.
Dawkins, who competed primarily at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, admitted that the transition was initially challenging. However, his determination to make a mark and improve on his past performances pushed him through the difficult period.
With every race, he adjusted to the nuances of the track and the competition, and by the end of the season there, Dawkins had established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His 25 wins were complemented by 24 second-place finishes and 28 third-place finishes from 169 mounts, amassing an impressive CAD$288,149 (about $33.5 million Jamaican) in earnings.
“It was a tough start because it took a while for me to get comfortable and get to know the horses, but once I got into my groove after my first two months, everything started to click. Winning 25 races this time around was a big deal for me because I only won seven the last time I was there. It shows I’m learning and improving and once I started winning races, the trainers saw my true potential and started giving me more rides,” Dawkins told SportsMax.Tv.
Dawkins’ performances in Canada weren’t just about accumulating wins, the experience also sharpened his skills. With the renewed confidence, he is eager to bring that momentum back to Jamaica, where he now hopes to continue his winning streak at Caymanas Park, as he has secured four rides on Saturday’s card and another six for Sunday.
“I’m excited to be back at Caymanas. Riding in Canada helped me fine-tune my techniques and decision-making, and I want to use that to get more wins here. The goal is to build on what I’ve achieved and show that I’m a better rider than before,” the soft-spoken rider noted.
But Dawkins isn’t just focused on immediate success. The talented jockey has his eyes set on a long-term goal—winning more Classic races to cement his legacy in the sport.
For Dawkins, these prestigious events, such as the Jamaica Derby, the Jamaica Oaks, the 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, Jamaica Cup, Gold Cup and Mouttet Mile, are the pinnacle achievements for any Jamaican jockey, and he’s determined to consistently etch his name in the annals of the sport’s history.
With the season at Caymanas Park nearing its end, Dawkins return at this point in time will only allow him to challenge for the Gold Cup in October, the Jamaica Cup in November, and the lucrative Mouttet Mile in December.
“I want to consistently win those big races, the Classic races. That’s what every jockey targets in their career. Yes, I’ve won a few already, but you can’t get complacent at any time. You always have to keep pushing and putting in the work to continue getting those rides in the big races to make your mark in the sport,” he shared.
However, success on the track is only part of Dawkins’ motivation. A dedicated family man, he revealed that his greatest ambition is to ensure that his loved ones are well taken care of.
For him, the sacrifices he makes and the risks he takes are all in service of providing a better future for his family.
“At the end of the day, I ride to win and make a name for myself, but my family comes first. Every win, every achievement is for them. I just want to make my family proud and happy, and that’s what drives me to keep pushing myself and that’s what it’s all about,” Dawkins ended.
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