Guyana’s horse racing season explodes into life on January 4 as two of the country’s most dominant Thoroughbreds- both undefeated, both champions- are set to collide in what is already being billed as one of the most anticipated races in modern Guyanese racing history.
All eyes will be on Olympic Kremlin, the reigning Horse-of-the-Year 2024, as he makes his much-awaited return to competition at the Opening Day of Racing at Rising Sun Turf Club.
The Brazilian-bred star, owned by Slingerz Racing Stable, is undefeated to date and comes into 2026 with an intimidating résumé: 2024 Guyana Cup winner and President’s Cup winner, and multiple feature race victories after his historic 2024 campaign.
Standing squarely in his path is another unbeaten powerhouse, Dataman, the USA-bred sensation from Master Z Racing Stable.
Dataman is a perfect 2-for-2, capturing both the Guyana Cup and President’s Cup titles in 2025, and has quickly established himself as a serious force at the very top of the local racing ladder.
The January 4 feature will be contested over one mile, a distance that both horses relish.
Olympic Kremlin and Dataman have each proven their class at the trip, winning mile races at Rising Sun Turf Club and Port Mourant Turf Club, posting remarkably similar times despite racing on different days and under different conditions.
It is a match-up that racing fans have been debating for months:
- Brazil vs USA
- Slingerz Racing Stable vs Master Z Racing Stable
- Horse-of-the-Year vs the New Champion Challenger
- Undefeated vs Undefeated
Simply put, something has to give.
Olympic Kremlin returns after a brief setback that kept him on the sidelines, but all indications from his camp suggest he is back at full strength.
A representative of Slingerz Racing Stable shared their confidence ahead of the race: “Olympic Kremlin has done everything asked of him in Guyana. He’s proven himself against the best, and he loves the mile. January 4 is about reminding everyone why he’s Horse-of-the-Year. Why he will remain undefeated.”
With victories in the two most prestigious races on the local calendar and an unblemished record, Olympic Kremlin enters the race as the established king, but with no room for complacency.
Across the aisle, Master Z Racing Stable is equally confident.
Dataman’s rise has been swift, decisive, and impressive, and his connections believe the time is right to challenge the old guard.
A spokesperson for Master Z Racing Stable responded with equal confidence: “Dataman hasn’t put a foot wrong since arriving. He’s undefeated, he’s won the biggest races, and the mile is exactly what he wants. If there was ever a moment to prove who the best horse in Guyana is, this is it. Their will not be a second chance.”
Dataman’s American breeding, tactical speed, and proven stamina make him a formidable opponent, one many believe could usher in a new era.
The January 4 showdown is about more than trophies. It is about bragging rights, stable pride, training skills and legacy.
It is the kind of race that defines seasons and becomes part of racing folklore.
Adding to the excitement, Dataman’s presence on Opening Day ensures that the curtain rises on the 2026 season with maximum intensity, setting the tone for what many expect to be one of the most competitive years Guyana racing has ever seen.
This head-to-head clash underscores the growing quality and ambition of horse racing in Guyana.
With top-class imports, serious investment from owners, and enthusiastic crowds, the sport continues its resurgence, culminating in moments like this.
On January 4, Rising Sun Turf Club will not just host an opening race day.
It will host a battle between two undefeated champions, over a distance they both dominate, in a race that will answer one question: Who is really the King of this sport?
Excuses are prohibited! The countdown is on!
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