Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, has offered condolences on behalf of the government to the loved ones of young jockey Kishawan Pereira, who tragically died following a fall during the 17th Guyana Cup.
The minister joined members of the horse racing community at a wake held at the Port Mourant Turf Club to pay his respects.
Dr. Singh spoke on behalf of the government and people of Guyana, expressing his and the nation’s deepest sympathies for the loss.
“May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he stated.
Pereira was riding his horse, ‘Blinding Lights,’ in the penultimate race when the horse reportedly stumbled, throwing the jockey heavily to the ground. Despite being rushed to the hospital by on-site paramedics, he did not survive his injuries.
The Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee confirmed the tragedy, extending condolences to Pereira’s family.
They noted that this was the first fatal incident in the Guyana Cup’s 17-year history and suggested that early-morning rain may have created unseen soft spots on the track.
A full safety review of the incident is underway.
In a difficult finish to the day, Dataman, representing Master Z Racing Stables, secured a commanding victory in the one-mile feature race.
The win came in a dramatic finale, with Dataman crossing the finish line ahead of Anthem King. Ritorna Vincentori and Stat finished third and fourth, respectively.
The race carried a record-breaking first-place prize of $10 million from a total purse of $20 million.
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