Mouttet Mile to air live in USA under Caymanas Park-NYRA partnership

Caymanas Park is set for greater international exposure through a renewed partnership with the New York Racing Association (NYRA). The collaboration will see NYRA and FOX Sports broadcasting the December 7 Mouttet Mile Invitational live in the United States under a two-year agreement, building on the success of last year’s inaugural broadcast.

Solomon Sharpe, executive chairman of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), hailed the partnership as a milestone for Caymanas Park.

“Since SVREL has been at the helm of operations at Caymanas Park, we’ve made US multi-million-dollar investments into the product and the infrastructure as we strongly believe in the value of horseracing as an industry," said Sharpe. “We are very excited to have NYRA see the gem that Caymanas Park is and for them to step up and commit to investing in the product to help bring the sport to international racing fans. The potential for the growth of the local industry with the exposure and support from NYRA and FOX is limitless.”

The extended broadcast agreement aims to highlight not just the quality of racing at Caymanas Park but also its unique atmosphere, featuring passionate fans.

Additionally, SVREL said that the partnership will promote Jamaica's tourism by showcasing the island's natural beauty and historical landmarks during the broadcast.

NYRA will also introduce a special Pick 5 wager linking two graded stakes at Caymanas Park, including the Mouttet Mile, with the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, a Grade 1 race offering a purse of $750,000.

“Interest in the Mouttet Mile and, by extension, Caymanas Park has spread from coast to coast in the USA. Making betting on the Mouttet Mile accessible in the USA is a great achievement and it takes us closer to realising the ultimate goal of having the race included in the world pool,” said Sharpe.

The Mouttet Mile Invitational, a Grade One race for three-year-olds and older, boasts the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean, set at $250,000 for 2024.

Interest in this year's event is already high, with seven prominent overseas-based horses expressing early interest. Two local contenders have also secured their spots through the "Win and You’re In" qualification.

The final chances for horses to qualify will come on November 9, with the Jamaica Cup (Gr. 1) and the Port Royal Sprint (Gr. 3) serving as the decisive races.