KINGSTON, Jamaica - Clovis Metcalfe, chairman of both the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) and the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), will be honoured this Saturday (July 2) at the races with a cup race named after him for his commitment to the development of horse racing in Jamaica.
The announcement was made during the post-position draw for the 96th running of the Jamaica St Leger, the second jewel in the Triple Crown series of races at Caymanas Park on Tuesday (June28). The Futurity race for native-bred three-year-olds will be run over 10 furlongs (2,000m) for a purse of $4.5 million this Saturday, July 2.
Metcalfe has been an active contributor to the development of horse racing in Jamaica as an owner and breeder.
“It is indeed satisfying that after 50-plus years as an administrator, a breeder, and owner that it is seen fit to name a Cup race after me. I follow in the footsteps of Howard Hamilton who, just a month ago, was accorded such honour and I hope the trend continues.
“In accepting the honour bestowed on me by SVREL, I say thank you, and it is my hope that the trend will continue, and going forward we will see farriers, grooms, jockeys, trainers, owners, outstanding stakeholders, and other individuals being accorded that same honour that I am receiving.
“Too often there is a tendency to honour people after they die and I sincerely hope with what SVREL is doing today that they will continue because I think it is an excellent move and as many people have served so many years in the industry and never been recognised,” Metcalfe said.
In addition to the inaugural running of the Clovis Metcalfe Cup, a race for Open Allowance horses, there will also be two other trophy races that will be added to the programme named after Metcalfe’s favourite fillies — Supa Lei and Midnight Angel.
