Tortola’s COURAGE & HONOUR wins feature horse race on Sunday

COURAGE & HONOUR from the BVI’s Top Priority Racing Stables — which is owned by President of the Horse Owners Association Lesmore Smith — swept the feature prize of $10,500 at the Ellis Thomas Downs on Sunday.

The race marked the conclusion of the Boxing Day races which had been cancelled on two previous occasions because of inclement weather.

Only three horses took part in the 1 ½ mile feature race which was for class C and D horses.

SALSA JACK from Thomasville Racing Stables finished second while BARRABAS KEY from the Brother’s Stables from St Thomas finished in third place.

The second-highest-paid race — carrying a $7,000 purse — was a one-mile race for Class B horses. CHOVANES from The Boys Racing Stables took home the win.

In second place was SAL JET from St Thomas followed by ONE WAY TO FAME from Missionhouse Racing Stables.

Other races

The first race of the day — which was a 6 ½ furlong run for Class D horses — was won by UNCLE MACE from the Top Priority Racing Stables. The race carried a $5000 purse.

The other two participants were GOD’S GREATNESS from A’s Stable and BABY GEORGE from Top Priority Racing Stables. 

The second race of the day was not held because the horses scheduled to run that race didn’t make it from St Thomas in the neighbouring US Virgin Islands.

“There was only one horse that would have been in the race, so we had to scratch it,” President Smith told BVI News on Monday.

MY RUNNING MATE also a winner

In the meantime, MY RUNNING MATE from The Brother’s Stable took home the grand prize of $5,000 in the subsequent race. This race was one-mile sprint for class C and D horses.

In the second position was JORDAN’S SALSA from St Thomas Iron Hammer Racing Stable, followed by FORMAL TALENT also from St Thomas’ No Limit Racing Stables.

In race number-four, FLASHIN CAT from St Thomas’ No Limit Racing Stables won the one-mile race for mares and fillies and took home the $6,000 purse.

Coming in second place was MOONLIGHT BANDIT from Dion Stevens. A total of three horses ran. However, the third horse, GOTTCHA BLESSING from St Thomas’ Brother’s Stables did not finish the race.

In race number five — a one-mile race for mares and fillies that had a purse of $6,500 — was swept away by HOLY GIACOMO from Thomasville Racing Stables.

SPECIAL COUNSEL from The Boys Racing Stables came in second, and MARIEALENA from Top Priority Racing Stables came third. A total of four horses took part.