Superstakes set for return

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

The Superstakes was cancelled last year because SVREL could not secure sponsorship in a year in which the racing industry was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sharpe says that details of the race are 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," he said. "We want it to be massive, and we are definitely working on a purse structure where everybody has a chance to go home with some money."

The Superstakes is usually held in November, and Sharpe said that Supreme Ventures is planning to have the event around the same time this year.

Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association President Howard Hamilton hopes that more races with big purses will be staged this year.

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

"The Diamond Mile is not being run again 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 we can't continue like this."