Trinre Insurance has stepped up and joined the racing fraternity to assist the industry by partnering with the Arima Race Club (ARC) to sponsor what may be the biggest race on the racing calendar for this year, the Trinre Caribbean Champion Stakes over 1,800 metres on the main track at Santa Rosa Park, Arima on Saturday.
At the press conference held at the at Trinre Office on Edward Street in Port-of -Spain on Tuesday with a large cross-section of the racing community as witness and gave their approval for what will be a 'Titanic Clash" that could also decide which horse will be named this year's "Horse of the Year".
For the year, there are two top thoroughbreds which are unbeaten in four starts, they are Glenn Mendez trained three-year-old colt Juice Man and the John O'Brien trained General JN. They will be throwing down the gauntlet to horses of the calibre of Master of War, Apocalypse, Making Headlines and the consistent filly, Streaking Far.
During the news conference on Tuesday, Anthony Harford, who served as Master of Ceremonies, thanked Trinre for coming on board as a partner. When it came to picking the post position for the $75,000 purse event,O'Brien was the first man to step forward as he pulled the widest draw for the Jerry Narace owned General JN.
Champion trainer Glenn Mendez pulled stall four (Dead Man) for the unbeaten Juice Man before Anthony Wight pulled stall seven for Apocalypse.
Executive Chairman of Trinre, Rani Lakhan-Narace, in her address to the audience, said "Champions are defined as those who have surpassed all rivals in a sporting event or other competition, or those who fight to defend others or a cause. In both cases, champions demonstrate superior performance. They have extraordinary resilience and stamina, even after a defeat. In short, they are unstoppable.
"So in presenting their rationale for Trinre to become a sponsor of the Caribbean Champion Stakes, we realise that sponsorship was much more than just providing prize money and a trophy. We are being invited to invest in a vision, the ARC vision to contribute to the national diversification thrust, preserve jobs and create new ones, thereby fueling sustainable growth for this ancient sport that is known as the 'Sport of Kings'".
"So we are looking forward to seeing the ARC effort to transform horse racing and its facilities for the benefit of the sport. And we too will undertake to look at other opportunities to partner with you. I would like to say that it is a pleasure to forge this relationship with the ARC for this year's Caribbean Champion Stakes. I am told that I have led in one of the favourites into the winner's circle earlier this year but may the best horse win."
The clash between General JN, Juice Man, Apocalypse, Master of War, Streaking Far and Making Headlines will be worth travelling miles to view.
Here are the horses which are entered for the Caribbean Champion Stakes: Ceasar Country, Master of War, Streaking Far, Juice Man, Regal Intension, Making Headlines, Apocalypse and General JN.