Excitement is building for the 2014 Massy United Insurance Barbados Derby, next Saturday at the Garrison Savannah.
It will be the 75th annual Derby Day, which also marks 30 years of unbroken sponsorship by Massy United Insurance.
Over the past week, bands, marchers, dancers and others involved in the forthcoming grand parade have been rehearsing for the “Big Day”, which is certain to attract thousands to the venue of local horse racing.
Chief executive of Massy United Insurance, Howard Hall, disclosed that the sponsors will be pulling out all the stops this year to make the event extra special and this includes the staging of a massive, colourful parade around the Garrison.
Among the participants in the grand parade will be the Mounted Troupe of the of the Royal Barbados Police Force, the Cadet Corps Band, The Boy Scouts, the Defence Force Band in Zouave uniform and the Royal Barbados Police Band, which is celebrating 125 years.
Derby Day activities are designed to offer entertainment for the whole family and along with performances from popular calypsonians, a fun-zone for children will also be created. A Massy product fair, offering samples and a range of giveaways is also part of the special day.
On the race-track, nine races will be run on Derby Day with Race No. 7 being the feature Massy United Insurance Derby Classic for 3-year-old creoles.
Twelve horses will contest the Derby where total prize money is in excess of $130 000, with a record payout of $74 000 going to the winner.
Noble Intent, being ridden by veteran Anderson Trotman, is in line to take the Triple Crown in local racing circles following victories in recent months in the Barbados Guineas and the Barbados Midsummer Classic.
Should Noble Intent win the 2014 Barbados Derby and complete the Triple Crown, his connections will also benefit from a bonus of $100 000 and also become the seventh horse in the 75-year-history of the Derby to grab the three crowns in one year.
Previous Triple Crown winners were: Watersmeet (1973), Ginger Lily (1980), Coo Bird (1989), Incitatus (1996), Zouk (2006) and Areutaklintome (2009). (BA/PR)
