THE opening event of the annual five Classics of the 2026 racing year in Jamaica, the eight-furlong 1000 Guineas, is now in the annals of local racing industry. The outcome shows that second-generation trainer Jason DaCosta saddled the first two to finish the eight-furlong exertion as well as closing a stable double.

Guineas winner Dream Catcher(3-5), piloted by Tevin Foster, could see eight of her 15 rivals down the backstretch before overtaking them all to strike the lead inside the last 150 yards. This, before gliding away to a four-length superiority. The Bern Identity-bred bay out of a Legal Process mare is the best of her peers of either sex at this stage by adding this win to the seven-length romp in The Portmore.

In his post-race interview DaCosta spoke to a plan executed perfectly. Runner-up, 9-1 bet Taylor Made (Robert Halledeen) abandoned her front-running preference and was held up in fourth before striking the lead at the distance. Whilst Foster said he was not worried about Dream Catcher encountering a couple of tight spots and losing a little ground, Foster revealed he was not panicked at any stage and allowed her to regain stride gradually to ensure she was the first of his double on the card. Ridden by Robert Halledeen, it was Formalist (1-5) who scored by over 14 lengths over the straight course of race four to open the DaCosta two-timer.