Funcaandun crowned Horse of the Year for 2024

In a well-deserved recognition of his excellent performances, Funcaandun was formally topped Horse of the Yr for 2024. The announcement was made at a press convention held at Caymanas Park on Tuesday, February 19, 2025.

In the course of the 2024 racing season, Funcaandun demonstrated distinctive ability and dominance, successful eight out of 11 begins incomes $27,878,200 in Stakes. His spectacular document and constant performances made him the clear favorite amongst voters.

A 15-person voting committee, comprising media representatives and officers from Supreme Ventures Racing and Leisure Restricted (SVREL), the racing promoter, agreed on Funcaandun because the best choice for the distinguished award, with the gifted horse receiving 14 out of 15 votes.

Funcaandun’s efficiency within the 2024 racing season was marked by a powerful string of victories in a number of prestigious stakes races.

He gained the $1.1-million Rimsky Trophy, which occurred on January 20 over a distance of six furlongs or 1,200 metres. Funcaandun’s success continued on April 27, when he emerged victorious within the $1.25-million World Vet Day Trophy, run over seven furlongs or 1,400 metres. The gifted horse then went on to assert the $1.75-million She’s A Maneater Trophy on July 27, masking a distance of eight furlongs or 1,600 metres. Funcaandun confirmed no indicators of slowing down, as he secured one other main victory within the $1.75 million Distinctly Irish Trophy on August 24, this time over 9 furlongs and 25 yards or 1,820 metres. On October 5, Funcaandun added the $2.5-million Philip Feanny Gold Cup to his spectacular checklist of wins, successful the seven-furlong occasion in type.

Nevertheless, the top of Funcaandun’s success got here on December 7, when he took house the coveted $38-million Mouttet Mile, run over eight furlongs. Along with these main stakes wins, Funcaandun additionally demonstrated his dominance in Restricted Stakes firm, scoring victories on February 25 and March 30, each over seven furlongs.

Funcaandun’s achievement is a testomony to his expertise, dedication, and exhausting work. His Horse of the Yr award is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding performances, and he’ll undoubtedly proceed to be a pressure to be reckoned with.

Owned by champion Carlton Watson and skilled by champion conditioner Jason DaCosta, Funcaandun was additionally a Finest Three-Yr-Outdated Male Center Distance Performer, Finest Three-Yr-Outdated Center Distance Performer, Finest Three-Yr-Outdated Male Stayer, Finest Three-Yr-Outdated Stayer Total, Finest Three-Yr-Outdated Male Total Champion, Champion Three-Yr-Outdated, Champion International-Bred, and Champion Center Distance Performer Total.

Coach Gary Subratie’s gifted duo, Atomica ( Nuclear Wayne – Honkeytonkville) and Desert of Malibu (Malibu Moon – Girl Digger), secured the primary and second runner-up spots to Horse of the Yr, respectively.

Atomica, who made historical past by successful a third-consecutive Jamaica Cup, swept a number of awards, together with Champion 4-Yr-Outdated and Upward Total, Champion Stayer, and Champion Native-Bred.

Desert of Malibu, who excelled in dash occasions, was voted Champion Dash Total, due to her spectacular wins within the Port Royal Dash, the None Such Dash, and the Girl Geeta Trophy.

Within the two-year-old class, American-bred Unspun (Spun to Run – U Needa Experience) stood out, successful three Stakes races – The Dye Job Dash, The Mr Sensational, and the Hover Craft. Unspun’s coach, Donovan Hutchinson, was additionally recognised, with Hutchinson being voted Most Improved Coach.

Raddesh Roman, who dominated the jockeys’ championship with a powerful 133 wins, was voted Most Improved Rider, having proven vital enchancment from his 50-win, fourth-place end in 2023.