Guyana Cup Fever has definitely hit the ground, peaking interest from every facet of Guyana. This year the mega event unfolds with major technical changes in close comparison to internationally acclaimed races.
Since the official launch of the 17th running of the Guyana Cup last Tuesday, the excitement is building for the country’s biggest horse racing spectacle which promises to reach unprecedented levels.
Promoter, Nasrudeen Jr. Mohamed has once again proven why he’s one of the most visionary figures in Guyana’s horse racing industry. At the press launch, Mohamed announced the addition of two groundbreaking races to this year’s card, races that have never been run on Guyanese soil before. The news has sent shockwaves through stables and racing circles across the Caribbean and South America.
The first of the new races is an Open Juvenile, exclusive to 2-year-old imported horses born in 2023. The second, dubbed “The Derby”, is a high-stakes showdown open to both Brazilian and West Indian-bred horses, setting the stage for an international clash.
These historic additions were made possible by the recently passed horse racing legislation, a milestone the promoter credits to the interest and support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and by extension, the Government of Guyana.
Mohamed publicly thanked the Ministry for their commitment to advancing the sport of kings to the level it deserves. Since the announcement, the local horse racing fraternity has been buzzing with excitement as horse owners, jockeys, trainers and the numerous staff associated to the development of their horses can now look forward to a higher standard for the sport.
Owners have scrambled to secure top-tier bloodstock from overseas, with some dispatching agents while others boarded flights themselves. Based on inside sources “straight from the horse’s mouth,” at least 21 horses are being flown in from Brazil, some previously purchased but now filling the aircraft due to the unexpected rush. Additionally, seven 2-year-olds from Miami are confirmed to arrive, with expectations that more will follow as Guyana Cup Day approaches. This surge in imports underscores the rapid growth and professionalization of the sport under the promoters’ strategic moves.
The official Guyana Cup race day is set for Sunday, August 17, with gates opening at 9 a.m. and races beginning promptly at 11 a.m for the first time. This is due to a 11-race card. Fans are strongly advised to arrive early and be seated, as the promoter has vowed: “No delays, no exceptions.”
Each race will be run at 35-minute apart, keeping the adrenaline high throughout the day. In a push for professionalism and discipline, Mohamed issued a stern reminder to all participants: horses must be on the grounds by 8 a.m. on race day, any horse arriving after this time will not be allowed to compete. Jockeys are required to be in the jockeys’ room by 10 a.m. sharp, or face stiff penalties.
With historic races, international imports and a revitalized industry built on regulation and ambition, the 2025 Guyana Cup is shaping up to be a landmark event.
Stay tuned, this year, the golden year at Rising Sun Turf. The experience of a lifetime is around the corner! (Press release)
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