The Caribbean’s most prestigious horse race, the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, is set to ignite excitement on Saturday as 10 top contenders line up for the
1 800-metre challenge.
Fans and punters are weighing every factor, from horse form and trainer entries to jockey exploits, in what many are calling a wide-open contest.
The field features a mix of local stars and imported challengers, making predictions anything but straightforward for the 43rd edition of the Gold Cup.
We break down the field post by post from the rail outwards.
Drawn 1 is the seven-year-old bay horse Smokin T who was second last year, from the Mrs Gay Smith barn and under the conditioning of Edward Walcott Jr. First call jockey for the Springfield stables, Antonio Bishop, will be the pilot and the draw suits its early speed. Bishop has two wins, including one from in the stewards room and may look to smoke the field and add another.
Coming out of Gate 2 will be Abrumar, a seven-year-old bay horse from owner Kenneth Ramsey, which comes with Stakes success at Gulfstream Park. Under the skillful Rasheed Hughes who was last year’s winner, Abrumar is one of the charges of USA based ace trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. The duo captured the 2025 edition with Harrow, for One Guyana Racing.
The six-year-old gelding Divin Propos, which is another Joseph entry is next, and was to have UK champion jockey Oisin Murphy in the steels. However, the current no fly zone in the Middle East sees him unable to make the race and he has been replaced by “Aussie” Tom Marquand.
The impressive four-year-old chestnut colt, Bulldoze, son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist has caught the eye of many and trainer William Clarke, will have his hands full to get this one to navigate the nuances of the tight Garrison Savannah turf. Canada based Kyle Carter has the mount.
In Stall 4 is Deccan Prince, a six-year-old bay horse, for trainer Nicholas Tomlinson with Rico Walcott aboard. Walcott has been defying the odds, having overcome brain surgery for a cancer tumor and falls in recent racing at Woodbine.
The second Gay Smith entry is seven-year-old bay gelding Portfolio Company, the 2024 winner, and is not one to be overlooked. Rey Williams has the leg up, looking for his maiden Gold Cup triumph.
The sentimental entry was the dark brown Sir London, another seven-year-old gelding, who was set to have four time winner Patrick Husbands astride. Husbands had indicated this would be his farewell ride at the Garrison Savannah and many wished he would sign off in triumph, after grabbing his first win as a teenager in 1990. Husbands, however, sent shockwaves throughout the industry when he withdrew, citing a mixup with which of the One Guyana Racing entries he had expected to ride. Husbands claims his preference was Divin Propos, but Rocco Bowen has picked up the mount.
Gate 8 will be filled by Public Sector for trainer Rommel Lovell, with record leading jockey Jalon Samuels vying to add to his six Cups. That Samuels has booked this ride can’t be dismissed, especially with Public Sector having Stakes victories at Saratoga and Belmont under Saffie Joseph Jr, who co-owns it with Peter Odle.
In Gate 9 is the nine-year-old bay horse owned by Nalicia Cozier and trained by her husband Jean-Marc, with Rickey Walcott in the irons. So Suave has been knocking on the door since 2023 and the connections are determined to add a Gold Cup to the Spa Sprint in their trophy cabinet.
The field is completed by the other elder statesman, nine-year-old bay gelding Jerry The Nipper. This is the third Gay Smith and Edward Walcott Jr entry and has Damario Bynoe in the saddle. Some expect Jerry The Nipper to break sharply and set the fractions, but will the wide draw cause it to expend too much energy early and suffer at the hands of the closers?
The three Gay Smith, Edward Walcott Jr horses are interestingly spaced and may tactically control how the race unfolds. Saffie Joseph Jr has three charges under his gaze and a fourth as part owner, which adds to the strategic element of the trip. (Martin Parris)
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