EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING in anticipation of the Massy United Insurance Barbados Derby Race Day.
The horse racing classic, to be staged at the Garrison Savannah on Saturday, is six days away and the countdown officially began last Thursday with a colourful horse and carriage procession through the City.
The procession, accompanied by a bugler, moved from Bridgetown to the Garrison where the Barbados Derby Silver Cup was handed over to executives of the Barbados Turf Club (BTC).
The City was abuzz as onlookers took up vantage points to snap photos and get a glimpse of Massy United Insurance hostesses displaying the Derby Cup as it was transported by horse and carriage, accompanied by nine members of the Royal Barbados Police Force’s mounted troupe, from the home of the sponsors on Lower Broad Street to the race venue.
This year marks 31 years of unbroken sponsorship of the Barbados Derby by Massy United Insurance.
The prestigious cup was escorted in a procession filled with colour and pomp, that made its way along Broad Street, across the Charles Duncan O’Neal Bridge, Fairchild Street, along Bay Street and on to the Garrison.
Outside of the Grand Stand at the race track, chief executive of Massy United Insurance, Howard Hall, and director of business development, strategy and marketing, Michael Armstrong, handed over the cup to BTC director Kevin Burke.
Armstrong disclosed that Massy United Insurance was pulling out all the stops this year to make Derby Day truly special, and a colourful, grand parade around the Garrison will take place just before the feature race. Part of the build-up to the entertainment package awaiting patrons will be a Massy United Insurance-sponsored Police Band lunchtime concert in Jubilee Gardens on Wednesday at noon. (BB)