As the turf readies itself for the Caribbean’s most lucrative single-race event, trainer Jason DaCosta is loading the gate with three contenders that could tip the scales in his favour. The US$300,000 Mouttet Mile, a one-mile Graded Stakes race for three-year-olds and older, is more than just a payout—it’s a proving ground, and DaCosta is bringing firepower in Funcaandun, Girvano, and Dothraki.
Funcaandun: The Quiet Predator
Last year’s razor-thin victory over Legacy Isle etched Funcaandun’s name into the history books. This year, the seasoned competitor enters with a tactical weight advantage—dropping from 57.0kg to 54.0kg—and a fresher body, having been lightly campaigned through the season. DaCosta believes this calculated approach could yield peak performance.
“He’s sharp. He’s rested. He’s dangerous,” the trainer hinted. “His training over the past two weeks has been exceptional—he’s right where we want him.”
Girvano: The Late-Blooming Bullet
Mirroring the trajectory of Funcaandun’s breakout season, Girvano is quietly maturing into a real threat. Clocking a strong 1:26.1 over 7 furlongs in his recent work, Girvano is being primed to swoop late in the stretch with his signature closing kick.
“He’s developing at pace,” DaCosta noted. “He’s not flashy, but he’s deadly over distance. This race suits him down to the ground.”
Dothraki: The Untapped Arsenal
Third in the DaCosta trio is Dothraki—arguably the most intriguing. The colt has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to reveal his ceiling. A strategic build-up that included a deliberate test in the Port Royal Sprint is now giving way to a more aggressive training approach. Sunday’s 1:25.3 workout has raised eyebrows.
“We knew the Port Royal wasn’t his moment,” DaCosta admitted. “But he’s responded at exercise in ways that tell me he’s ready to unleash. He has speed, he has class, and he’s reaching his top gear.”
The Stakes Are Set
Three horses. One trainer. One mile. US$300,000 on the line.
For DaCosta, this is more than a race—it’s a calculated assault on one of the most prestigious prizes in Caribbean racing. Each horse brings a different weapon to the battlefield: Funcaandun’s experience, Girvano’s momentum, and Dothraki’s raw, explosive potential.
“I’ve done all I can. Now it’s time to let them run,” DaCosta concluded.
And run, they will.
