Oisin Murphy to Ride Divin Propos in Barbados

A host of new faces will descend on the Garrison Savannah racecourse near Bridgetown, Barbados on March 7 for the 43rd Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup. Champion European jockey OISIN MURPHY is expected to ride in his first Gold Cup when he partners DIVIN PROPOS (FR) for the One Guyana Racing Partnerhip, co-owners of the 2025 Gold Cup winner Harrow.

Divin Propos, a six-year-old gelding by George Vancouver, won twice in France in 2023 and won twice in the summer of 2024 in California. During his west coast stint for trainer Phil d’Amata, Divin Propos was second in the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf. Following a layoff from January to September, Divin Propos returned for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. at Kentucky Downs where the gelding was seventh. In recent outings, Divin Propos was fourth in the Grade 3 Fort Lauderdale Stakes and 6th in the Grade 3 W.L. McKnight at 1 1/2 miles last month.

Divin Propos is trained by Saffie Joseph, who won his first Gold Cup last year.

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Canadian and Barbados champion jockey PATRICK HUSBANDS, a four-time Gold Cup winner, will ride SIR LONDON, who was bought at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Sale for $85,000 for One Guyana Racing. The seven-old by Malibu Moon – Seeking Atlantis by Seeking the Gold was originally at $700,000 juvenile in training and he broke his maiden in December 2021 by 10 lengths at Los Alamitos.

Sir London raced sporadically since his maiden win with one outing in 2022, three in 2023 and then a full slate in 2024. His last win was in an allowance race at Laurel Park in a one mile turf race. He recently ended a length layoff on Jan. 24 at Gulfstream and was sixth with an 80 Beyer Speed Figure in an optional claiming race.

MRS. GAY SMITH’S vibrant pink colours will be strongly evident once again as the four-time Gold Cup-winning owner has three entrants. She starts her 2024 Gold Cup winner PORTFOLIO COMPANY, a son of Kitten’s Joy bred by rival owners Ken Ramsey and his late wife Sarah, SMOKIN’ T, a seven-year-old horse by War Front who was second in last year’s Gold Cup to Harrow, and nine-year-old JERRY THE NIPPER (Liam’s Map), third in last year’s Gold Cup and recent winner of the Coolmore Stakes (G1).

Also expected to enter the ‘about’ 1 1/8 mile on turf race is PUBLIC SECTOR (GB) (Kingman (GB)) – Parle Moi (Ire) by Montjeu (Ire) who has never been to Barbados and is a multiple Grade 2 stakes winner. The eight-year-old Public Sector had a win at Woodbine in July, racing about 1 mile on turf in a sizzling 1:47.20 for a 92 Beyer Figure, according to Daily Racing Form. In his last start, the gelding was sixth in the King Edward Stakes at Woodbine to Gas Me Up.

ABRUMAR, a bay five-year-old horse by Divisidero – Keep Crossing, by Istan, races for Ramsey and trainer Saffie Joseph. Abrumar began his career at Woodbine and won the Colonel Liam Stakes at Gulfstream in March 2024. Abrumar came off a long layoff on Dec. 27 and won an optional claiming race at Gulfstream in a rapid 1:38.60 for 1 1/16m miles.

DECCAN PRINCE (IRE), another entrant by Kingman (GB) and produced from the Rail Link (GB) mare Deccan Queen (GB), was claimed for $15,000 from a close second-place finish on the grass at Fair Grounds after making all the pace. Deccan Prince, a six-year-old horse, has won six of 34 career races, three in 2023 and one for $7,500 claiming and $15,000 claiming in 2025.

BULLDOZE, previously owned by Repole Stable and trained by Nick Zito, was claimed from his third career win for $17,500 at Gulfstream on Christmas eve.