With just a mere two race days remaining in the Barbados Turf Club’s second racing season, an earlier call for equine stars and new blood in horse racing to propel the sport forward is bearing fruit.
One can’t help but notice the equine roster headed by Dancin David, which is closely followed by Aston Martin and Shared Adventure.
Dancin David brought joy to his connections and a resurgence to the Hopefield, Christ Church, stable reminiscent of the glory days of Bentom and Sanford Prince.
The Sir David Seale-owned horse has thrilled fans, winning three of five local starts.
He could not have begun on a bigger podium, striking gold in this year’s Sandy Lane Gold Cup. That sea of red continued when he destroyed his opponents by seven and a half lengths in the Lost In The Fog Handicap race against horses rated 115-140 and over 1 800 metres.
Up next on his achievement list came the Amstel Cup over 2 000 metres.
Just when fans were anticipating a developing battle, the race came to an anti-climax as eventual winner Apostle made contact with Dancin David, resulting in the positions being reversed.
Days later it was revealed that Dancin David had suffered a foot injury. Let’s hope it’s just a minor setback for this future star.
An emerging crop of new owners has held centre stage during the ongoing season with the first being the H&M connection, whose colours are synonymous with the juvenile Shared Adventure.
This colt has won four of six starts this year including the Ocala Breeders Sales Company Trophy condition race over 1 570 metres.
He was quickest in the Condominiums At Palm Beach Trophy Handicap for horses rated 75-100 and the Heineken Sprint Trophy Handicap against 90-115 horses, both over 1 100 metres. Fans are anticipating greatness with bated breath.
New owner Mark Armstrong announced himself in the most fashionable manner with the striking chestnut colt Aston Martin. The colt not only won on looks, but wasted no time in landing the Diamonds International Mont Blanc Challenge Stakes And Trophy and the BTBA Breeders’ Stakes And Trophy.
Aston Martin’s biggest moment came when he touched off the field in the Barbados Guineas, the first jewel of the Triple Crown whose races are all over 1 570 metres.
Armstrong’s quest to land the series came to an abrupt halt at the hands of X And X Inc., signalling the arrival of yet another new owner.
X And X Inc. graduated to the big leagues when they landed the second jewel of the series – the Barbados Midsummer Creole Classic – with the filly Summer Time, a fitting accomplishment for their perseverance.
It was left to the final leg as racing’s new owners clashed for the United Barbados Derby.
Bandera Belle won the derby but Summer Time, by virtue of her second-place finish, emerged victorious in the battle of the new owners.
It is hopeful that these results will encourage more race horse owners to invest in new blood.
