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Press Release from Jumbo Jet Events

Horse racing has long been a proud part of Guyana’s sporting and cultural landscape.

From the days of D’Urban Park in Georgetown to today’s prestigious Guyana Cup, the Sport of Kings has captured the imagination of thousands.

Yet while the passion has always been strong, the industry has lacked a structured system for educating the men and women who dedicate their lives to horses.

That is about to change.

Jumbo Jet Events, one of the nation’s leading promoters of Thoroughbred racing, has announced the creation of a Jockey Academy, the first of its kind in Guyana.

This groundbreaking initiative, to be hosted at the Bush Lot United Turf Club, will serve as the foundation for a wider vision: a Horsemen’s School that will offer training in every aspect of the equine industry.

The academy is being established in memory of the young jockey Kishawn Pereira, who recently lost his life while pursuing his passion.

The late jockey, Kishawn Pereira

His passing has underscored the urgent need for greater emphasis on safety, discipline and education in the sport. By launching this academy, the industry is turning tragedy into legacy.

The academy is not just about riding, it is about transforming horse racing into a professional, self-sustaining industry in Guyana.

Its benefits will extend far beyond jockeys to include trainers, grooms, farriers, owners, breeders, and ultimately the wider community.

One of the academy’s primary goals is to ensure that every rider, whether in exercise or competition, understands and follows international safety standards.

Courses will include:

• Correct use of helmets, vests, boots, and other protective gear.
• Safe mounting, dismounting, and handling techniques.
• Emergency procedures in the event of falls or injuries.

By formalising safety education, the academy will protect both jockeys and the horses under their care.

Under the leadership of Robert Pierce, a highly respected instructor who has trained world-class riders across major tracks internationally, the academy will give Guyanese jockeys the tools to compete on the global stage.

Training will cover:

• Race riding techniques and strategy.
• Physical conditioning, diet, and weight management.
• Mental preparation, discipline, and focus.

The vision is to see Guyanese jockeys one day riding and winning at prestigious tracks across the Caribbean, North America, and beyond.

Behind every great racehorse is a skilled groom.

The academy will introduce formal instruction for grooms in:

• Feeding and nutritional balance.
• Daily care routines and exercise schedules.
• Stable hygiene, biosecurity, and disease prevention.

By raising the standard of horse care, the academy will directly improve the health, performance, and longevity of Guyana’s Thoroughbred stock.

A horse is only as strong as its feet. Currently, Guyana lacks enough professionally trained farriers, and many horses suffer from preventable hoof problems.

The Horsemen’s School will eventually include specialised farrier training, teaching:

• Proper trimming and shoeing techniques.
• Identifying lameness issues early.
• Hoof care to maximise performance and prevent injuries.

This will reduce race-day scratches and extend horses’ competitive years.

Not everyone can ride, but many aspire to train.

The expanded Horsemen’s School will provide aspiring trainers with structured education in:

• Conditioning programmes and progressive fitness.
• Understanding equine nutrition and veterinary basics.
• Reading race forms, planning campaigns, and race strategy.

This ensures that the next generation of trainers is knowledgeable, competitive, and capable of raising Guyana’s standard of racing to international levels.

One of the academy’s greatest strengths is inclusivity.

It recognises that not everyone can become a jockey due to weight, height, or physical limitations but everyone can contribute to the industry.

Future courses will prepare participants for careers in:

• Breeding operations and stud management.
• Equine rehabilitation and therapy.
• Racing administration and stewarding.
• Bloodstock management and sales preparation.

This ensures the academy and school create jobs, not just riders.

Horse racing is more than a pastime, it is a national industry that supports thousands of families. With the oil economy fuelling Guyana’s rapid growth, the racing industry has a chance to rise with it.

By establishing this academy, Guyana positions itself as the only country in the Caribbean and South America with a structured school dedicated to horsemen and women.

• This will create employment pathways for young people.
• Keep talented horsemen at home while preparing them for opportunities abroad.
• Raise Guyana’s reputation as a serious racing jurisdiction.
• Strengthen the push for international recognition of Guyana’s racing industry.

The academy is fully funded by Jumbo Jet Events, Kris Jagdeo Racing Stable, Slingerz Racing Stable and J’s Racing Stable with plans to engage other promoters and stakeholders in its expansion.

By pooling resources, the academy can grow into a national institution, serving as a lasting legacy for the industry.

In time, the Horsemen’s School could partner with regional and international racing authorities, offering certification programs that allow Guyanese horsemen to work across the globe.

The launch of the Jockey Academy is not just a project, it is a promise. A promise that the life of the late jockey will be remembered not with silence, but with opportunity.

A promise that future generations will ride, train, and care for horses with skill, respect, and professionalism.

And a promise that Guyana’s Sport of Kings will finally have the foundation it deserves.

With this academy, Guyana takes a historic step toward transforming horse racing into not only a sport but a world-class industry.

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In a major leap for veterinary medicine in Guyana, Dr. Nardeo Bassoodeo, the head of Animal Kingdom Pet Hospital, has introduced the use of advanced U.S. digital and AI technologies that are set to transform animal care across the country. With the new technologies, Dr. Bassoodeo is confident that more lives will be saved as results and diagnoses will be faster, saving time and money.

The Animal Kingdom Pet Hospital has adopted digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to greatly enhance veterinary care in Guyana. Its services now feature “Digi-tail,” an all-in-one veterinary software platform, along with solutions from Zoetis, the world’s leading producer of medicines and vaccines for pets and livestock.

Benjamin Pinsault, Technical Training Officer for Zoetis is currently in Guyana to install two new equipment for the hospital – a cytology scanner and a digital microscope.

Benjamin Pinsault, Technical Training Officer for Zoetis, is currently in Guyana to install two new equipment for the hospital – a cytology scanner and a digital microscope.

“A lot of brand new technology we have been bringing here, like the imaging machines and the brand new one is the cytology scanner, so it’s an AI scanner that works only with the internet, so it allows the scanner and the clinic to be connected to the bigger community and to a lot of data and specialists as well,” Pinsault explained.

He further added that the pathologists over the years trained the scanner to conduct tests such as urinalysis, fecal tests, dermatology, masses and blood tests and produce results in 10 minutes.

The cytology scanner at Animal Kingdom

The second equipment, a Grundium Ocus digital microscope, can produce high-resolution images of tissue samples for diagnosis or research.

It further allows pathologists to view and analyse slides remotely via telemedicine.

The new technologies take telemedicine to another level with a network of over 1400 specialists. The introduction of these tools has not only reduced the time it takes to obtain test results but has also made them more affordable. Record keeping and access to patient history are also now significantly improved.

The Grundium Ocus digital microscope can produce high-resolution images of tissue samples for diagnosis or research

“With these types of interventions and these types of technologies that we have here now in our hands, I can’t really come to grips as to say how happy I am, how joyful I am that now we can have access to a community where over 1400 specialists just by the click of a button,” Dr. Bassoodeo said.

With plans to expand services, the Animal Kingdom Pet Hospital is working towards offering 24-hour care at its Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara location. The clinic’s three other locations, Cornelia Ida, Diamond, and Prashad Nagar, are also equipped with Digitail, ensuring that pet owners can visit any of the hospital’s branches and access their pets’ medical information seamlessly.

A scan from the Grundium Ocus digital microscope

“With the technology we are now bringing, first world technology to Guyana at a very low price because before we had to send these samples overseas, we had to send them to a reference laboratory and those take some time about two weeks or sometimes two months before we get them back, now we can get those results in 10 minutes,” Dr. Bassoodeo stated.

With these advancements in veterinary care, Guyana is poised to see a new era of enhanced animal health and well-being, bringing the best of global veterinary practices to the local community.

Zoetis is the world’s leading producer of medicines and vaccines for pets and livestock.

“Gone are the days where you have a paper clinic card in your hand walking around because sometimes the same dog bite them up, now it is in your email, even if you lose your phone, you can go back to your email and still have all the access.

Dr. Nardeo Bassoodeo, the head of Animal Kingdom Pet Hospital

“This is a new beginning for their patients and their pets, as a nation, we have reached this far, we are taking care of our animals,” Dr. Bassoodeo said.

 

 

 

 

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Police in Regional Division Two have launched an investigation following the discovery of a badly decomposed body on Annandale Beach, Essequibo Coast, on Thursday.

According to reports, detectives and senior officers were dispatched to the Annandale Seawall around 11:30 hrs after receiving information about the find. On arrival, ranks observed the body of a male, lying on his back on the sand. The deceased was clad in a red and blue jersey with black-and-white three-quarter trousers.

Due to the advanced state of decomposition, police said the man’s head, both hands, abdomen, and feet had been eaten away, making identification impossible. His name, nationality, age, address, relatives, and the time of death all remain unknown.

The body was examined for signs of violence, but officers noted that the level of decomposition made this difficult to determine.

The remains were transported to the Suddie Public Hospital, where Dr. Beharry pronounced the man dead. Samples were taken for DNA testing, and the body was placed in the hospital mortuary to await a post-mortem examination.

Investigations are ongoing.

 

 

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Five persons on Thursday took their oath before President Irfaan Ali to become Land Surveyors during a ceremony at the Office of the President.

The official certification of the surveyors came amid a stern warning from the President to maintain the high standards and integrity of the profession.

Five of the six persons who successfully completed the examination to become a land surveyor were present; the sixth person is currently studying abroad.

“Your greatest asset is your integrity, the nation can invest in the most advanced surveying technology but all of this is meaningless if the professionals who yield such tools are careless and corrupt.

“Your entry into this profession, therefore, is not just a career choice it is a commitment to safeguard order, clarity and justice in our society. You’re being inducted as land surveyors at a time when your skills and your integrity are needed more than ever before,” the Head-of-State said.

President Ali said these persons are now being entrusted with responsibilities that go beyond coordinates and measurements because this profession is fundamental to the development of societies.

The President, “data provided by surveyors has allowed for the structured use of land and resources ensuring that societies develop in a way that is fair and sustainable.”

He said the economy is expanding at an unprecedented pace and the work is expanding with new highways, roads, housing development, bridges and energy projects. Currently, the government is hoping to development more than 30,000 houselots. These are part of efforts to expand the tourism and service sectors in the country.

“Every structure, every title deed, every investment rest first upon the certainty and accuracy that only you as surveyors can provide,” he said.

Noting that land issues have often caused disputes among persons, President Ali warned the new surveyors to be cautious and maintain their oath taken and uphold the highest ethical standards.

He added that the new technologies in land surveying will continue to advance in years to come. He mentioned virtual reality and surveying, which is among the advancements expected globally- therefore- they must invest in learning opportunities.

The new land surveyors who took their oath on Thursday are:

Meshacq Richards

Kishon Dos Santos

Justin Jarvis

Troy Histick

Tyrek Grant

Tyrese Spier – currently overseas

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The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), which is seeking a second term in office, has identified some of its shortcomings and is well-positioned to execute its ambitious plans for the next five years.

The party’s General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, spoke candidly about the party’s successes and shortcomings while in office from 2020 to 2025 at his weekly press conference on Thursday.

The party’s successes, he said, are all of the promises delivered over the last five years. Those include turning around the economy, re-incentivising various sectors, and better supporting people from all sections of society. And he affirmed that the party’s track record speaks to its capability of ably leading the country again.

“… you only have a single party with a clearly defined plan for the future and it’s the PPP/C,” Jagdeo said.

However, he acknowledged that some areas require improvement.

“We’ve had a tough time keeping pace with the growing demand for electricity,” Jagdeo said, explaining that the PPP returned to government with little done to expand power generation under APNU+AFC’s time in office.

He also said the government wanted to empower small contractors, particularly in the housing sector, but realised that a different approach to achieve an ambitious housing agenda may be needed now.

Finally, he said the party is focused on guaranteeing that government agencies are more “responsive” and accountable to the citizens. To remedy this, he said the government would readily embrace digital services.

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The No. 75 Village Regional Hospital is the sixth modern health facility to be commissioned in Guyana in recent months, and the final hospital delivered through partnerships with Chinese enterprises.

The new facility marks a historic milestone in the East-Berbice, Corentyne’s healthcare transformation.

At the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony hailed the occasion as a proud moment for Region Six, Guyana, and the future of the nation’s health sector.

“We are not just opening a hospital today. We are opening the doors to hope, healing, and dignity,” Minister Anthony said.

For years, many families in Region Six and other parts of Guyana were forced to travel long distances to access healthcare services. That burden is now being lifted with hospitals in Lima in Region Two, Bath in Region Five, De Kinderen in Region Three, Diamond and Enmore in Region Four, and now No. 75 Village in Region Six.

Inside the No.75 Village Regional Hospital (Photo: RDC Reg. 6/Facebook: August 28, 2025)

And on Thursday, Dr Anthony said the journey is far from over.

“We are currently constructing the Mother and Child Hospital at Ogle, along with major upgrades underway at New Amsterdam, Moruca, and Kato hospitals,” he stated.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali delivered the featured address at the ceremony, describing the accomplishment as a promise fulfilled.

“This hospital is not just a building; it represents a closing of critical gaps in our healthcare system,” the President said.

He explained that time is one of the most important factors in healthcare, and with this facility, the need for referrals to New Amsterdam or Georgetown will be the exception rather than the rule.

The head of state also noted that this facility will become part of the region’s medical teaching infrastructure. Within the next three months, all students enrolled in medical programmes will be able to pursue their courses in Berbice.

The No.75 Village Regional Hospital (Photo: RDC Reg. 6/Facebook: August 28, 2025)

“Over the next five years, we will transform the healthcare system into one that is world-class, science driven, and patient centered,” the President said.

Meanwhile, significant investments have also been made in human resources with hundreds of registered nurses, nursing assistants, doctors and other healthcare professionals trained and employed.

Additionally, nearly 1,500 nurses are currently in training, with new facilities under construction at Suddie and New Amsterdam to expand capacity.

Inside the No.75 Village Regional Hospital (Photo: RDC Reg. 6/Facebook: August 28, 2025)

The government is also embracing innovation by introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies into the healthcare system, including tools to read X-rays and other diagnostic images.

In a push for accountability and efficiency, five new medical supply warehouses are also being built, and a national electronic inventory system will be implemented to track every pill, vial, and syringe.

 

 

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President Dr Irfaan Ali has assured Guyana’s fisherfolk that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government will continue to invest heavily in their livelihoods, providing both immediate relief and long-term opportunities for growth.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the No. 75 Village Regional Hospital in East Berbice-Corentyne on Thursday, President Ali emphasised that fisherfolk are an essential part of the economy and will be given the same dignity and support as other sectors.

“I want our fisherfolk to know that we have listened to them, we have heard them, and they deserve a life of dignity. Just like every other sector, our fisherfolk must be supported—and they will be supported in many different ways,” the President declared.

President Irfaan Ali said the PPP/C government will deliver wide-ranging support to fisherfolk, including access to modern technology and training, continued fuel relief, better landing and processing facilities, and assistance to reinvest in boats and equipment.

“Continuing to support them with subsidised fuel through the zero tax on fuel that we have right now. Building out their landing facilities, helping them to reinvest in their boats, to reinvest in capital to help them to advance in the type of boats they have, so they can go to better grounds.”

He also committed to diversifying their income through aquaculture and shrimp farming, strengthening safety and security, expanding market opportunities, and creating a climate-resilient fund to protect their livelihoods.

“The government, co-investing with them and working out a mechanism through the Low Carbon Development Strategy, where they can be supported in a climate resilient fund that would help them against climate realities that they are faced with,” the head of state said.

Importantly, the measures will benefit not only boat owners but also workers and vendors in the fishing industry.

President Ali stressed that the government’s approach goes beyond boat owners.

“I am talking here about our workers and the vendors who sell the fish. They also will find direct support from our government as we seek to build a strong, secure, stable, and prosperous future for all our people,” he affirmed.

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Within months of opening, five regional hospitals across Guyana have seen approximately 25,000 patients.

This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, who spoke on Thursday at the commissioning of the sixth regional hospital at No. 75 Village in Region Six. He noted that at the five other hospitals, some 220 babies were delivered and approximately 100 surgeries were completed.

“For those who question the investment, there is your answer,” the Head of State said.

In recent weeks, the Enmore and Diamond Hospitals in Region Four, De Kinderen in Region Three, Bath in Region Five and Lima in Region Two were commissioned to offer modern healthcare services.

The hospitals were all constructed by China CAMC Engineering Co., Ltd. (CAMCE) and China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH). They are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that will provide residents with modern, world-class medical care, reducing the burden of travelling to Georgetown.

These hospitals feature 75 inpatient beds in private, air-conditioned rooms; two state-of-the-art operating theatres; a 24/7 Emergency Department; CT/X-ray machines; ultrasound imaging; full-service laboratories; and dialysis machines.

Patients can access a myriad of services, including gynaecology, audiology, dentistry, ophthalmology, psychological support, and general medicine services.

Beyond the coast, hospitals are also being built in Moruca, Kamarang, Kato, and Lethem, alongside a Paediatric and Maternal Hospital at Ogle and a modern facility in New Amsterdam. Major upgrades are underway at existing hospitals in Bartica, Linden, and West Demerara.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said that the government is concerned about the frequent, horrific cases of domestic violence and vowed to up efforts to combat this scourge.

“It happens too often and happens in a really brutal way that stuns the country… It has no place in a modern society,” Jagdeo said at his weekly press conference on Thursday.

To combat this scourge, Jagdeo said government-led efforts will intensify. Working with youth to promote certain values and engaging religious bodies and non-governmental bodies are among the plans to help solve this issue, he said.

He emphasised that societal change is necessary.

Jagdeo’s comments came just days after a 36-year-old man, Alroy Solomon, stormed into the Charlotte Street, Georgetown apartment and chased after, then killed his partner, 36-year-old Teekadai Atiya Solomon.

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General Secretary of the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, said translating Guyana’s economic prosperity into social benefits will be a huge focus of the body once it is re-elected next week.

The PPP/C is one of six parties contesting the 2025 General and Regional Elections. Parties have mounted spirited campaigns but at his press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo posited that the PPP is the only political machinery capable of managing Guyana well.

But what leadership does Guyana require? Well, he said Guyana needs leadership to capably manage the burgeoning economy, which is set to expand even more with more oil ships commencing production before the end of the decade and the development of other productive sectors. Jagdeo also reminded reporters that Guyana is locked in a border controversy case with Venezuela, and skillful leadership to maintain international support and to deal with any threats to the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty is needed.

“These are going to be the important issues for the future, and you only have a single party with a clearly defined plan for the future and it’s the PPP/C,” Jagdeo said.

Beyond these matters, he emphasised that in all it does, the party is focused on delivering more social benefits to people.

Though confidently stating that the elections will be won “handsomely” by the PPP/C, Jagdeo said the belief is not rooted in arrogance. The party General Secretary, who is also Guyana’s Vice President, believes the party has shown that it delivers on its promises and is responsive to people’s concerns.

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