Jumbo Jet Race of Champions horse meet 2024: JOCKEY RONALDO APPADU DELIVERS AS PROMISED
– as Stolen Money defeats Spankhurst in feature race
Guyana’s leading jockey for 2024, Ronaldo Appadu, displaying bravery as he promised, delivered a remarkable win last Sunday at the Jumbo Jet Race of Champions horse meet when he piloted Stolen Money to a stunning heist of the winner’s purse in the feature race, and in the process defeated “horse of the year” Spankurst, whom everyone had expected to triumph.
Young jockey Appadu was brimming with confidence before the race was run off at the Rising Sun Turf Club in Region Five. “I am coming with blood in my eyes,” he had said before the feature event. And with only three starters in this race, Spankurst was the overwhelming favourite, while John Bull was eager for a good outing.
Underdog horse Stolen Money was conditioned by veteran trainer Fazal Habibulla, and the owner Dennis Deroop was proverbially over the moon after Sunday’s victory.
Jockey Ronaldo Appadu recorded three wins on Sunday last, including victory in the feature event
“Since at Port Mourant I had to beat Spankhurst. I came here today and the field was thin, and I know I had to position myself. Going up the three-furlong, Jockey (Kiran) Razack came on me, but I ran on the outside, and Stolen Money delivered. Look out for Stolen Money at Guyana Cup, and I am taking the Champion Jockey (accolade) for 2024,” Appadu has said.
Deroop, meanwhile, has said his horse Stolen Money has shown improvement race after race, and a big win was promised here. “This win was dedicated (to) the fans of Stolen Money, which is a very loved horse. We will take Stolen Money on a break and prepare for the Guyana Cup (on August 11),” Deroop disclosed.
“On normal occasions, Spankhurst will usually be the horse that goes to front, but John Bull had an early start, while Stolen Money closely trailed, but made the killer blow on the homestretch. I told the jockey once he is five lengths behind, he will win. When he was going on the backstretch, he was full of running, and I thought he had them,” Deroop said.
The next race day is tentatively set for May 26 at the Port Mourant Turf Club in Region Six.
