Saturday 21st November will see a major, new and exciting day on the annual racing calendar as ANSA McAL (Barbados) and its group of companies, (Bryden Stokes, MQI, Trimart, Standard, Brydens Insurance, Consolidated Finance and Brydens Retail and Express) in association with The Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and The Barbados Turf Club, sponsor - The ANSA MCAL Racing Festival.
The Racing Festival will feature major highlights:
· The inaugural ANSA MCAL (Barbados) TROPHY will take centre-stage. This 7.8-furlong (1,570 metres) race will be opened to all horses - three-year-olds and older, carrying a minimum guaranteed purse of BBD$75,000 (plus nominations). Foreign horses and jockeys will be encouraged to contest this event.
· In addition, ANSA MCAL (Barbados) will stage the 2015 Winter Jockeys’ Challenge (now in its third year) - a highly anticipated event which will again feature five international jockeys competing against locally-based riders in a test of skill for four (4) races.
Four jockeys out of the UK who have confirmed:-
Jamie Spencer – Jamie is a two time British champion jockey and once Irish Champion and multiple classic winner in the UK.
Tom Queally – (rode Frankel in all 14 of his unbeaten races)
Paul Mulrennan – (regarded as the best jockey in the north of England and recently won his 1st Group 1 race, the Nunthorpe Stakes at York)
Sammy Jo Bell - (up and coming apprentice girl jockey who was top jockey in this year's Shergar Cup)
Also coming in for the Challenge is one jockey from China:
Qin Yong, aged just 26 but who has reached a new level of excellence this year by winning 2 gold and 2 silver medals at the 10th Chinese Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities in August 2015.
· The best locally-bred Creoles in training will also be on show that day, with the “BRYDEN/STOKES BREEDERS’ CLASSIC (Gr.1R-Bar)” and the “McEnearney Quality Inc JUVENILE BREEDERS’ STAKES (Gr.1R-Bar)” offering guaranteed prize money between them of at least BBD$58,000 (plus nominations)
Nicholas Mouttet, CEO of ANSA MCAL (Barbados) stated ‘”We are very excited to be producing not just an ordinary race day, but a new horseracing festival for the entire family. Combined with an excellent racing line up we have also added loads of attractions to appeal to everyone:
· The Festival will be hosted by Carl “Alf’ Padmore and DJ Kirk Brown and patrons will have the opportunity to hear some of our top local artists performing live throughout the afternoon. The line up is: Leadpipe & Saddis, Ian Webster, Kirk Brown, Stiffy Star Quality and a special guest appearance by The Caribbean Queen Alison Hinds!
· Entertainment on the grounds for the young ones will include pony rides, bouncy castle and a mechanical bull. In addition, McEnearney Quality Inc will have some of their latest top-of-the-line vehicles on display.
· There will be a chance to win an Iphone 6, simply by wearing an ‘Amazing Hat’ and entering the competition on the day. There is also an opportunity to win $1000 of Consolidated Cash and other surprises throughout the day.
With lots of fun and giveaways from this group of companies, this really is a day Bajans and visitors alike should not miss.
