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One of Guyana’s best groomed horses continues to show improvement
Grande de Roja of the Jumbo Jet stable continues to show improvement on and off the race track and there are many reasons for such developments.
The animal, which recently won the feature C class and lower event at the Bush Lot United Turf Club (BLUTC) horserace meet a week ago, was also adjudged the best groomed horse for the feature event at the last Guyana Cup, by a set a Trinidad Horse racing officials who came to the country to observe the event. The five man team after inspecting all the horses in the event unanimously decided that Grande De Roja was the best groomed horse.
Grande De Roja and one of its grooms being congratulated by the Trinidad official.
Imported into Guyana from the USA as a D1 Bay Mare, the name Grande De Roja by now should be a household one in the horseracing circle in Guyana by its winnings and constant placing in the feature events.
The animal came onto the scene with a bang, when on that occasion being in Guyana less than a month it stunned the field to win the feature C class event at the Port Mourant Turf Club Annual Emancipation horserace meet.
The question being asked is Grande De Roja ready for the grand ride to the top. Top trainer of the Jumbo Jet stable Deonarine ‘Black Boy’ Ramroop feels so.
Ramroop, who is considered one of Guyana’s top trainers and handlers at the moment, stated that training and grooming horses is not easy. In fact he mentioned that it is a million dollar job to get the animals in top shape and keep winning. It is an expensive sport and many persons can’t cope he opined.
Giving a slight run down, Ramroop noted that the animals alone cost two to three million dollars and more, to import (air dash) and all the other fineries to bring the animals and clear it takes a few more millions. The animals must be properly fed including medication, barley, eggs, Guinness, builders, sweet feed, oats, hot water and a warm bath, muscle relaxer, ointments, liquid supplements, pain reliever and other necessities, vet, shoe for the horses for every race, tackling’s which includes- saddle, racing bits, blankets, bridle, girth and surfing, blinkers and racing hood are all costly. Other expenses include –trainer 10%, grooms 5%, jockey 10-20% and entries 12%, transportation and taxes are also additional expenses.
With those kind of expenses above it is not an easy task. Ramroop hopes to take Grande De Roja to the top of the table. Being just the best groomed horse is not all. Winning is also important. He mentioned that since the animal was sourced from the USA over two years ago, it had all potentials of being a winner, but some animals like everything else, takes longer than some to settle in. He feels the animal is getting there.
He feels that horse racing fans will now see the real Grand De Roja in action. He anticipates the animal next encounter with top horses such as Score’s Even and Elle’s Vision, known for its blistering finishes, Ramroop stated that Grande De Roja is now ready to take them all. (Samuel Whyte)
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