J’s Summer Stakes: Horsemen eager to go after three-month hiatus

After a three-month hiatus, competitive horse racing will return tomorrow, Sunday, July 20, at the Bush Lot United Turf Club, West Coast Berbice.
Despite the rainy conditions in Guyana, jockeys and trainers have been putting in the hard yards, keeping one eye locked on next month’s Guyana Cup.
Promising jockey Kishawn Pereira, seasoned jockey Yovin Kissoonchand and trainer Sherwin Wills are upbeat ahead of the Summer Stakes.
Pereira, in an interview with the Guyana Times, stated, “I have been running, waking up early and exercising horses. I have been eating light as well.” “I want the fans to come out and support; I will put out my best at Summer Stakes.” Perreira noted.

Jockey Kissoonchand, on the other hand, has been having a solid season in 2025. He shared similar sentiments, and he is hoping to extend his good run of form at the summer stakes.
However, trainer Wills said preparation has been going smoothly for his horse, Irish Eyes, despite the challenging weather.
Irish Eyes is the champion two-year-old Guyana-bred horse for last season, and she is aiming to maintain her dominance at the Summer Stakes.
“Preparation was going well, no complaints. Irish Eyes is more of a stayer; she normally comes from behind, so she would have a better chance,” Wills said.
Eight races are on the one-day racing programme. The feature event, which is the summer stakes, will be running for one mile, and the top horse will be awarded GY$1.5 million.
Other races on the card include the open sprint, the three-year-old Guyana and West Indian-bred, the F Class and Lower, the H Class and Lower, the K Class and Lower and the L Class maidens.
In addition to the Summer Stakes, horse racing will head to the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club, Bush Lot, East Berbice, on Sunday, July 27.
The marquee horse racing event in Guyana is the Guyana Cup, which will run off on August 17 at the Rising Sun Turf Club.