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The horse racing community in Guyana is in mourning after the tragic death of 18-year-old jockey Kishawn Pereira, which cast a solemn pall over the day’s events at the Guyana Cup 2025 at Rising Sun Turf Club.

In Sunday’s premier event, Dataman, representing Master Z Racing Stables, sealed a commanding victory in the one-mile feature race, which carried a record-breaking first-place prize of $10 million from a total purse of $20 million.

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 defending champion Olympic Kremlin was a late scratch from the race after a mechanical issue was reported at the starting gate.

Nasurdeen Mohamed Jr. of Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, which shares a trainer with the winning stable, told News Room Sport that the event was “hard work,” a statement he made before he learned of the tragic news.

The victory was overshadowed by the fatal fall of jockey Kishawn Pereira in the penultimate H-Class Open. While riding ‘Blinding Lights’, Pereira was reportedly well-placed in third when his horse stumbled, throwing him heavily to the ground.

He was immediately rushed to the hospital by on-site paramedics but sadly did not survive his injuries.

In a statement, the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee confirmed the tragedy and extended their condolences to Pereira’s family.

The committee acknowledged that this was the first fatal incident in their 17 years of promoting the Guyana Cup and suggested that early-morning showers may have created unseen soft spots on the track.

They stressed that a full review is underway and reiterated that safety remains their top priority.

The loss of Pereira, described as a “talented young rider with a bright future,” has been a devastating blow to the entire horse racing family.

Despite the sombre conclusion to the day, the track saw an extensive card of 11 races. J’s Racing Stables had a dominant day, registering four wins in total.

PHOTOS: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1114979164108008&id=100067878045016&rdid=IRWBFFhnuiVf6DZo#

 

PROVISIONAL RESULTS

 

RACE ONE: J/K/L MAIDENS
Placement	Horse	Prize	Owner
FIRST	Three D Movie	$1.2M	J’s Racing Stable
SECOND	World Boss	$600,000	Dominic Perreira
THIRD	Perfect Trip	$300,000	Mahaicony Racing Stable

 

RACE TWO: K CLASS & LOWER
Placement	Horse	Prize	Owner
FIRST	River Dance	$1M	Darren Elcock
SECOND	Lion Heart	$500,000	Brian Kalpoo
THIRD	Enemy Maker	$250,000	Jumbo Jet Racing Stable
FOURTH	Quiet Warrior	$125,000	Y. Mohabir

 

RACE THREE: H 3 FIRST TIME STARTERS
Placement	Horse	Prize	Owner
FIRST	Top Gun	$1M	Zayne Khan
SECOND	Sea Bird	$500,000	Karran Rampersaud
THIRD	Haley	$250,000	Stuart Gonsalves
FOURTH	Republican	$125,000	Elcock Racing Stable

 

RACE FOUR: WEST INDIAN BRED (3-Y-O)
Placement	Horse	Prize	Owner
FIRST	Sydney	$1.5M	Jagdeo Racing Stable
SECOND	Mulan	$750,000	J’s Racing Stable
THIRD	Supreme Leader	$375,000	Jagdeo Racing Stable
FOURTH	Republican	$125,000	Elcock Racing Stable

 

RACE FIVE:  WEST INDIAN BRED (2-Y-O)
Placement	Horse	Prize	Owner
FIRST	Nice Time	$1.5M	Otis Scotland
SECOND	Fire Bird	$750,000	Nand Persaud Racing Stable
THIRD	All The Time	$375,000	Totie Racing Stable
FOURTH	Head Of The Class	$187,500	Jumbo Jet Racing Stable

 

RACE SIX:  F CLASS OPEN
Placement	Horse	Prize	Owner
FIRST	Full Liberty	$1.5M	J’s Racing Stable
SECOND	Gryphon	$750,000	Jagdeo Racing Stable
THIRD	Pincipie Joaquim	$375,000	J’s Racing Stable
FOURTH	Wild Texas	$187,500	Geeta Singh/Jagdeo Racing Stable

 

RACE SEVEN:  INTERNATIONAL DASH
Placement	Horse	Prize	Owner
FIRST	Moonlight Dancer	$2M	Jumbo Jet Racing Stable
SECOND	She’s So In Charge	$1M	Jumbo Jet Racing Stable
THIRD	Miracle Queen	$500,000	Indera Pooran
FOURTH	Rock My World	$250,000	Jumbo Jet Racing Stable

 

RACE EIGHT: SIR BALAJI DERBY
Placement	Horse	Prize	Owner
FIRST	Spank Me	$2.5M	J’s Racing Stable
SECOND	Secret Circle	$1,250,000	Ganesh Persaud Itwari
THIRD	I Will Have Another	$$625,000	Appadu Racing Stable
FOURTH	Irish Eyes	$312,500	Sherwin Wills

 

RACE NINE: SPRINT CLASSIC
Placement	Horse	Prize	Owner
FIRST	Regal Man	$3M	J’s Racing Stable
SECOND	Night Beacon	$1.5M	Karan Rampersaud
THIRD	John Bull	$750,000	Slingerz  Racing Stable
FOURTH	Companheiro Leal	$375,000	J’s Racing Stable

 

RACE TEN: H CLASS OPEN
Placement	Horse	Prize	Owner
FIRST	Emotional Damage	$1.2M	PHVH Racing Stable
SECOND	Angry Bird	$600,000	Rising Sun Racing Stable
THIRD	Sexy Eyes	$300,000	Danessar Rampersaud
FOURTH	Soca Energy	$150,000	Fizul Haniff

 

RACE ELEVEN: GUYANA CUP
Placement	Horse	Prize	Owner
FIRST	Dataman	$10M	Master Z Racing Stable
SECOND	Anthem King	$5M	Jumbo Jet Racing Stable
THIRD	Ritorna Vincetori	$2.5M	Slingerz Racing Stable
FOURTH	Stat	$1,250,000	Master Z Racing Stable

 

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Communities in South Georgetown will soon have a 300-metre athletics track constructed to support community development activities, particularly for students attending schools in the area.

This was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday during the commissioning of a new block at North Ruimveldt Secondary School.

The Head of State said that some 4,000 students attend schools in the communities of North Ruimveldt, East Ruimveldt, South Ruimveldt, and Tucville. He noted that these students require a recreational facility, and as such, the first-of-its-kind facility to be built in the area will include a track capable of accommodating various physical activities.

“We have decided that we are going to invest in a 300-metre athletic track out there [at an empty lot]. It’s a first-of-its-kind facility in Georgetown, and the centre of that track will feature a full FIFA-certified football pitch, as well as facilities for basketball, volleyball, and tennis,” President Ali said.

Dr Ali added that the track will be similar to the synthetic track at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

“I need all the schools that I will mention to commit to forming an integrated alliance among the head teachers and physical education teachers,” he further stated.

The land on which the facility will be built is an empty lot close to North Ruimveldt Secondary School.

Additionally, the President said that upon completion of the facility, he is relying on the Men on Mission programme to encourage community members to volunteer 60 hours each month to mentor and motivate youths in the communities.

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Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vishnu Persaud, has assured the public that it is “virtually impossible, unless there is collusion,” for anyone to vote more than once at the upcoming General and Regional Elections, scheduled for September 1, 2025.

Speaking at GECOM’s first press conference, held 14 days before the polls, Persaud addressed concerns about the possibility of double voting.

He outlined several measures designed to safeguard the integrity of the process, including a folio of coloured photographs of registered voters. Persaud explained that this visual verification system has been strengthened to make impersonation and duplication more difficult.

Persaud further revealed that the use of electoral ink to confirm voting is also stringent to prevent duplication. Electors will be required to dip their finger into the ink, which has been manufactured to high standards of durability.

“I recognise there was a comment about the potency of the ink. The manufacturers and suppliers have given assurance that it is not possible to remove the ink easily, unless something was deliberately applied to the finger beforehand,” Persaud said.

He added that the ink should be allowed to dry naturally, and electors will be asked to clean their fingers before it is applied at the upcoming elections.

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President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Monday said that, in an effort to simplify access to services, the Single Electronic Identification System – essentially a new digital ID for all citizens – will facilitate registration for and access to the country’s cash grant voucher programme.

The president was speaking at the commissioning of a new block at the North Ruimveldt Secondary School.

He also noted that he was the first person to be registered under the digital identification card initiative.

“When one looks at the voucher programme, it is not a simple programme. It is going to be integrated into our digital ID card. By the way, I believe I got registered today as the first person to receive the digital ID,” the President said.

The new system involves the issuance of electronic ID cards to facilitate access to several government services. In 2023, the government signed a US$34.5 million contract with Veridos, a German-based provider of integrated identity solutions, to implement the system.

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Two farmers from Grassfield, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, have been remanded to prison after being charged with attempted murder.

Shamsundar Khamo, called ‘Nest’, 20, and Vijay Khamo, called ‘Guru’, 23, were arrested on August 11, 2025, in connection with the wounding of Naresh Bisnauth.

The men were jointly charged on August 15 with attempting to commit murder. The charge was laid contrary to Section 103(c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.

They appeared at the Vigilance Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce. They were not required to plead. Bail was refused and both men were remanded to prison.

The case was adjourned to August 27, 2025, for report.

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A pedestrian, who is yet to be identified, died early Monday morning following an accident on the Montrose Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

The accident occurred around 04:00 hrs and involved motor car PAC 8964, driven by a 24-year-old welder of Martyrsville, Mon Repos.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, said investigations revealed that the car was heading east along the roadway when the pedestrian reportedly ran across from north to south and into the vehicle’s path.

The driver told investigators that he attempted to brake but was unable to avoid a collision.

As a result, the pedestrian was flung onto the roadway, sustaining severe injuries. Police said the driver initially left the scene but later returned.

Emergency responders were summoned, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was subsequently taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary, where it is awaiting identification and a post-mortem examination.

Police said a notice of intended prosecution was served on the driver, who is in custody assisting with the investigation.

The vehicle was inspected by a licensing and certifying officer, and a breathalyser test returned negative for alcohol, police added.

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General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, says the people of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) will receive significant support to improve their lives if the party is voted back in office at the September 1 general and regional elections.

In his address to thousands of PPP/C supporters at a political rally in Lethem on Sunday, Jagdeo said the PPP/C’s next term in office will support income-generating activities in Amerindian communities.

Some of the plans include:

-Zero-interest rates for anyone who wants to start a small or medium-sized business

-Special grants for women and young people who want to start small projects

-Grants for anyone who wants to build a house or improve their house in all Amerindian villages

-Cash grants will continue

-More support for farmers, including equipment, fertilizers, pesticides and planting materials

-Scholarships for anyone who applies.

“We also want everyone to study, to have the best quality of education without leaving the region; so, we will improve connectivity (Wi-Fi),” the General Secretary said.

L-R: Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips; President Irfaan Ali and General Secretary of the PPP/C, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo with some children at the Lethem rally (Photo: August 17, 2025)

He also noted that scholarships will not only be awarded for those who want to further their education but to also train Amerindians in any skill.

“In the next term, you’re going to see major focus on your life, at the family level, so that we can increase income and take care of people,” Jagdeo said.

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Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has made significant gains over the last five years, including the delivery of more than 1,300 surgeries per year and a 95 per cent drug availability rate in the region.

This is according to the Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Cerdell McWatt, a candidate of the PPP/C, during the party’s re-election campaign in Lethem, Region Nine.

Dr McWatt drew comparisons between 2015-2020, when the APNU+AFC held government, and 2020-2025 under the PPP/C government, highlighting marked differences in the level of investments and results between the two periods.

He disclosed that between 2015 and 2020, only three healthcare facilities were developed under the APNU+AFC, compared to all 62 facilities in the region being developed under President Irfaan Ali’s government.

Among those facilities are four new health posts, 12 health centres, and four hospitals.

In examining the improvement in surgical capacity, the RHO said that the region delivered 1,300 surgeries in a year, compared to under 100 during 2015-2020.

Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Cerdell McWatt (Photo: News Room/August 17, 2025)

In relation to referrals, he said that the region had 45 per cent referrals to Boa Vista, Brazil, and another 45 per cent to Georgetown; compared to the current referral rate of 3.7 per cent to Boa Vista.

Under the APNU+AFC government, he explained that there was less than 45 per cent availability of medical supplies, compared to 95 per cent availability of medication presently.

In terms of neonatal services, Dr. McWatt noted that this was never offered between 2015 and 2020. However, 100 per cent of all cases involving babies are now catered for in the region.

Meanwhile, the Lethem Regional Hospital is being upgraded to a 75-bed facility, which will eliminate the need for referrals. The RHO also disclosed that since 2020, an additional 500 healthcare providers from the region have been trained and employed.

Just recently, President Ali announced the establishment of a Faculty of Medicine of the University of Guyana (UG) in Region Nine – a move aimed at expanding both educational and health services to hinterland regions.

“You’ve seen the development, where food security is guaranteed, where education is free, where world-class healthcare is being provided. This is because of the visionary leadership of President Ali and the PPP/C government,” the RHO said as he encouraged residents to support the party at the September 1 elections.

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From cheaper, more reliable electricity to improved infrastructure, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips told residents of Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo) that any promise made will be kept. 

The retired Army Chief, who is returning as the People’s Progressive Party Civic’s (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial candidate for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, addressed the residents gathered in Lethem for the party’s re-election rally on Sunday. 

And for him, their choice at the upcoming polls is clear. That is, PM Phillips said, the tried and trusted PPP/C. 

“We formed a government that stuck with you during good times and bad times,” the Prime Minister told the mammoth crowd gathered in Lethem. 

 He added, “We are a serious government. We are working overtime for the people, and we are ready to do it for five more years.” 

For Phillips, the promises kept in the region are personal. He had direct responsibility for several of the ventures. And he didn’t miss the opportunity to remind the Lethem crowd of the gains made. 

A total of 45 bridges were constructed, significantly enhancing access between Regions Nine and Ten. (Photo: Prime Minister Mark Phillips/Facebook)

“We commissioned 45 bridges, 45 brand-new concrete bridges,” he highlighted. 

Those bridges are part of the Linden to Lethem corridor, the mega roadway that cuts through Guyana’s rainforest and connects the coast to the hinterland and interior savannahs. Beyond these bridges, the upgrade of the Linden to Mabura Hill Road (which is part of the corridor)—stretching more than 75 miles—is racing ahead, marking a historic achievement in Guyana’s efforts to modernise infrastructure and connect the coast to the hinterland. 

Then, there’s electricity. The Prime Minister reminded the crowd that he commissioned two mini hydro projects: one in Moco Moco and another in Kumu. Cheaper, cleaner and more reliable electricity has been a serious focus of the PPP/C government and the Prime Minister boasted that these projects signal that promises have been delivered. 

So the PM affirmed. “Promises made were promises delivered.” 

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Outlining several major accomplishments of the PPP/C government in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) over the last five years, Regional Chairman Brian Allicock said on Sunday that Guyana has moved from promise to progress under President Irfaan Ali.

“In just five years, Guyana has moved from promise to progress. Rebounding from crises to the world’s fastest growing economy… which prioritizes inclusive development,” Allicock said at the PPP/C Region Nine rally, which was held in Lethem.

The Regional Chairman outlined several major undertakings by the government in the region, including the construction of nine new secondary schools and four new hospitals, including telemedicine, which are available to remote hinterland villages.

A cornerstone of the government’s infrastructure vision is the Linden to Mabura Highway Project, a transformative 121 km all-weather highway which is part of a broader strategy to ultimately link Georgetown with Lethem and the Brazilian border.

The massive crowd at Lethem, Region Nine (Photo: August 17, 2025)

Additionally, works are ongoing on a 72-mile hinterland road link between the North Rupununi and Monkey Mountain in Region eight (Potaro-Siparuni). When completed, the road will alleviate the high cost of transportation and long travel time for more than 15,000 residents.

Allicock also drew attention to the fact that even remote hinterland villages which did not have roads, now have concrete roads, while others are being upgraded.

“Under President Ali and the PPP/C, the transformation is undeniable. There are now more jobs, better infrastructure, stronger healthcare, free university and his One Guyana vision which unites citizens all across all regions of Guyana,” he stated.

The Regional Chairman spoke too of the expansion of agriculture in the region, in keeping with the government’s vision of promoting food security.

As he encouraged the thousands in attendance to vote for the PPP/C on September 1, he reminded them that the party has fulfilled the promises it had made to the Guyanese people in 2020.

“We are a party for the people, by the people and with the people. Every single promise we made to you, we have kept. We have seen five years of unprecedented progress. We are a nation in transformation, and we are securing a better future for all under President Ali and the PPP/C,” he stated.

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