KINGSTON, Jamaica – A release from the promoter of local racing, Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) issued late last night (Wednesday, July 12) announced the reopening of the racetrack at Caymanas Park.
This means that horses will be allowed to perform their various exercise drills as of this morning (Thursday, July 13, 2023).
The release from SVREL reads: “To Our Valued Stakeholders, Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) wishes to advise that the main track will be open for exercise starting Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 5:00 am”
The decision to close the race track for exercise came shortly after a standoff in negotiations regarding a purse increase involving SVREL and the stakeholders of racing on Tuesday morning.
This decision to close the racetrack by placing two large water trucks in front of the winning post was not greeted well by trainers and owners.
President of the United Racehorse Trainers’ Association of Jamaica, Patrick Smellie said it was a knee-jerk reaction based on pettiness, with no thought given for the over 1000 horses currently housed at the racetrack.
Despite his anger over the closing of the racetrack, Smellie told Quickgallop.com that he was ready to sit down and continue negotiations with SVREL.
Owner of the current Horse of the Year Atomica, Don Wehby also weighed in on the closure of the track.
In a post on Quickgallop.com Wehby wrote: “This is very very serious. Without exercise our horses can get sick …colic and die. Do they care about the horses? I am very concerned.”
2 Responses
This decision is a reflection on the type of leadership that prevails throughout Jamaica. No thought process goes into anything because they all think they have money they can do as they please, without any consideration for others. If so sad that the majority has to eke out a living from other people's disposable income.
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