LAST YEAR'S 'Digicel Racehorse Owner for a Year', Edward Chin, will collect $600,000 from Digicel this Saturday, representing a percentage of NEFTENGA's earnings for a year.
Richard Azan-trained NEFTENGA, the winner of last year's Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes, has so far earned $1,017,500 since last Digicel Day, giving Singh the maximum $600,000 in honorary purse money put up by Digicel.
Azan will receive $100,000 as the promotion enters its third year Saturday at Caymanas Park.
A new owner will receive all the benefits and none of the costs of being a racehorse owner, including VIP treatment at the track and two tickets for a year to the North lounge.
A major highlight at the Digicel Raceday this year will be the grand draw of the 'Digicel Win an Escalade' competition. Entrants have already won $250,000 and qualify to win the 2003 Cadillac Escalade. They will be present at the track, hoping their key will open the door to the brand new luxury SUV.
The Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes will this year carry a purse of $1m, making the race one of the richest on the 2003 racing calendar.
Along with the Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes, there will be three other major races on the August 30th - the Digicel Cup, the Sony Ericsson Sprint and the Sony Ericsson Maiden Trophy.
The Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes is a Grade I event for three-year olds and upwards, to be run over 1300 metres. This race is likely to feature seasoned runners I'M SATISFIED, RAKKADASH, SPIRIT OF JAMAICA and MILLIMETRE all from the barn of 13-time champion trainer Philip Feanny.
However, Wayne DaCosta-trained METEOR MAN should not be overlooked neither should AWESOME POWER, conditioned by Patrick Chang. Azan's NEFTENGA will be defending his title and could make it two in a row at the end of the race.
The Digicel Cup will feature native bred two-year-olds over 1200 metres for an attractive purse of $650,000.
Handset manufacturer Sony Ericsson will partner with Digicel and is title sponsor of two races. The Sony Ericsson Sprint, for horses in the three-year-old and upward category, is to be run over 1100 metres for a purse of $355,000 and claiming $170,000 - $145,000.
The Sony Ericsson Maiden Trophy for four-year olds and upwards will be run over 1400 metres for a total purse of $305,000.
Even persons who aren't having much luck with the horses on Digicel Day will have a chance to win something. The holders of losing tickets from the Digicel races will be entered into a special raffle to win great prizes.
Digicel customers all over Jamaica and even those roaming all over the world can join the fun and wager on each race. With 'TEXT Your Bet', punters can pick the winner of each race, send in the number of the horse in each race to 878-UBET (8238) and the first correct answer will win $1000 free talk time from Digicel.
The Digicel Raceday is a family affair and children won't be left out as the CTL Kiddies Stable will stage great games for kids at the track with Digicel providing treats.
In addition to the action on the track, Digicel representatives will be available throughout the day answering questions and the Digicel Dealer booths will be on location with phones, digiFLEX cards and other accessories. The company will also host their corporate clients at the track.
