BY CHARLIE HEATH

Ten  of the islands top 3-year-olds have been entered for the United Insurance Barbados Derby (GR.1R. - BAR), scheduled to be run on Saturday August 12, at the Garrison Savannah.

On Wednesday evening August 2, 2006 details of 69th running of this prestigious race was announced at a press conference held at the Finish Line Restaurant at the Garrison Savannah.

Chris Armond, Secretary/Racing Operations Manager of the Barbados Turf Club said of the ten horses entered nine are locally bred whilst one was bred in Jamaica.

Armond said he was pleased to note that this is the 22nd year that United Insurance Company Limited was the sponsor for this important and prestigious race which this year carries a purse of $102,800.00 including subscriptions.

The Racing Operations Manager went on to say that the winner of the race will collect $60,880.00, which is the second biggest purse on the local racing calendar.

However, he said, if the race is won by the filly ZOUK, who has already won the First and Second Jewels of the Triple Crown, the Banks Barbados Guineas (GR.1R. - BAR), and the Pinnacle Midsummer Classic (GR.1R. - BAR) respectively, her owners will not only collect the first prize purse of $60,880.00, but they will also win the $100,000.00 bonus put up by Banks Breweries Limited, Roberts Manufacturing Company Limited, United Insurance Company Limited and the Barbados Turf Club.

Tommy Peirce a Director of United Insurance said that he is pleased to recognize that this is the 22nd year that United Insurance Company Limited will be sponsoring the Derby which could be a record for the length of sponsorship in any sport in Barbados.

Peirce said that over the years they have enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with the Barbados Turf Club and he looks forward to continuing this relationship for many years to come as it is to their mutual benefit.

The United Insurance Director finished by saying that he is thrilled to see that for the first time since the bonus has been offered for winning the Triple Crown that there is a horse that has come through to the United Insurance Barbados Derby (GR.1R. - BAR) with a chance of creating history by collecting the $100,000.00 bonus prize for winning all Three Jewels.

In giving the vote of thanks Barbados Turf Club Director Francis Cozier said then when looking at the fact that United Insurance Company Limited is now into its 22nd year of sponsorship of the Barbados Derby (GR.1R. - BAR), it certainly speaks highly for their support of the horse racing industry and on behalf of the Barbados Turf Club and the racing industry he thanked them very much.

Cozier said that  the Triple Crown came about five years ago when Sir Allan Fields and David Callaghan came up with the idea.

The Barbados Turf Club Director said this is the first year since the bonus for the Triple Crown was introduced that a horse has come through by winning the first Two Jewels and now has a chance of winning the Third. He said this has created a lot of interest and excitement.

Cozier said he looks forward to a big crowd coming out to the Garrison Savannah on Saturday August 12, 2006 to throw their support behind the very exciting filly ZOUK in the hope that she will be the first horse to land the $100,000 bonus, which at the same time would make her the horse to win the biggest purse ever in the history of racing in Barbados.