Jockeys made a collective decision to withdraw from the remainder of Saturday’s (October 24,2026) 10-race programme at Caymanas Park, citing unsafe track conditions compounded by water-logging and potholes, according to senior rider Phillip Parchment.
TOO MUCH WATER! A tractor harrows the saturated track at Caymanas Park on Saturday, October 24, 2026, as officials after the stewards and jockeys agreed to abandon the final two races due to unsafe conditions.(Photo: Garfield Robinson)
“Well, all jockeys have come to an agreement that the condition of the racetrack is not safe. The track condition, the water logging, and a few holes in the track, and the safety of the riders, they have decided not to go back out there. I think it is their life, it is their livelihood and so it’s in their best interest to take the best decision possible,” Parchment told the
Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.
WADING THROUGH! A track worker makes his way across the haeavily water-logged Caymanas Park racing surface on Saturday, October 24, 2026, shortly after officials abandoned the final two races when jockeys declared the track unsafe.(Photo: Garfield Robinson)
Racing was officially abandoned after the eighth race, with races nine and 10 called off following consultations between the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) stewards and representatives of the Jamaica Jockeys’ Guild.
UNRIDEABLE! A water-logged and pot-holed Caymanas Park racing surface on Saturday, October 24, 2026, after jockeys and Jamaica Racing Commission stewards agreed to abandon the final two races due to unsafe track conditions (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
Prior to the abandonment, the track had been officially listed as sloppy by the track superintendent due to inclement weather.
A tractor harrows the saturated racing surface at Caymanas Park on Saturday, October 24, 2026, after officials abandoned the final two races after jockeys deemed the water-logged track unsafe due to inclement weather. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
Parchment, while supporting the stewards’ decision, said the incident should serve as a wake-up call for improved track maintenance.
HEADING HOME! Veteran jockey Clive Lynch leaves the jockeys’ room with his gear after racing was abandoned on Saturday, October 24, 2026. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
“The track needs a little bit more attention as well. I think the track needs some more sand and so I think a little bit more maintenance at the track would be better off. I think the track has been deteriorating over the years,” he said.
EMPTY! The Saddling Area at Caymanas Park stands deserted after racing was abandoned on Saturday, October 24, 2026, following complaints from jockeys that the track was unsafe for competition. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
“The JRC they are looking in the best interest of the riders and in the safety of the riders. So they’ll take the decision to stop the race as well,” Parchment added.
Tajay Suckoo winning aboard Prince Amaan in the eighth race on Saturday, October 24, 2026 before the last two races on the 10-race card were abandoned due to unsafe track conditions.(Photo: Garfield Robinson)
The abandonment was confirmed over the public address system, with management announcing that the final two races would not be run as the jockeys deemed the surface unsafe to ride on.
PARCHMENT...I think the track has been deteriorating over the years (Photo: Joseph Wellington)
— Ruddy Allen
