Minister Ramson Jr sets sights on regional supremacy for horse racing

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, has laid out an ambitious vision to transform the nation’s horse racing sector into the undisputed jewel of the Caribbean.

Speaking at the official launch of the 18th Guyana Cup — set for 23 August at the Rising Sun Turf Club — Ramson Jr. expressed complete confidence that recent legislative overhauls and booming economic momentum will elevate the sport to unprecedented heights across the region.

Defending champion Dataman will headline a packed field as the country’s flagship spectacle returns for its 18th running, boasting a record prize pot of over G$66m, including a G$22m purse for the feature Banks Guyana Cup.

For Ramson, the high-stakes action on the track is merely the centrepiece of a far broader structural transformation.

The passage of landmark horse racing legislation, forged through 26 parliamentary meetings, has established a formal regulatory framework overseen by a newly Cabinet-approved Horse Racing Authority led by Stephen Cheefoon.

“I have total confidence that Guyana will be able to be the greatest horse racing industry in the region,” Ramson said at the launch. “This event has been running for 18 years, and it is fitting that the races are running under a regulatory framework. This event has the support of the entire government.”

The Minister praised the consistency and stewardship of the Jumbo Jet family, who have anchored the event’s yearly growth. He underscored the profound economic ripple effects the festival creates across Region Five and Region Six, positioning horse racing as a key driver of sport tourism.

“Horse racing is a fixture of our calendar events,” Ramson noted. “If you are to remove this event from Region Five, you will remove hundreds of millions of economic activity that will be generated from the Guyana Cup period alone.”

This year’s 14-race card aims to weave elite sport with local culture, incorporating performances by Guyanese artists, heritage showcases, and extended family zones, alongside major fan giveaways — including a brand-new SinoTruk pick-up truck for one lucky attendee.

It signals a deliberate effort to broaden the sport’s appeal beyond traditional racegoers and create lasting civic value.

“Our version of the horse racing industry must be fit for Guyana’s purpose,” Ramson explained. “There must be social utility in the facility.”

With anticipation building toward August, the Rising Sun Turf Club looks ready not only to host another memorable running of the Guyana Cup, but to kickstart a new era for regional horse racing. (PRESS RELEASE)