Last race day, July 18, the racing industry’s regulatory body, the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), highlighted its recognition of the operatives and great racehorses that have made significant contributions deserving of immortality in the annals of thoroughbred racing history in Jamaica.
The categories of Hall-Of-Fame nominees is designated Racing Personalities to include all administrators (public & private sector), owners and breeders. Other headings account for Trainers, Jockeys, Grooms and Racehorses.
By way of a reminder, or for those who may not be aware, among the administrators, Sir John Mordecai, the founding Chairman of the 1975 JRC, heads the list of the most distinguished, as he was instrumental in establishing the 1977 Racing Rules and a well-appointed Statistics Department in tandem with Richard Ashenheim, track and field stats aficionado as well as a former President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association.
Recently departed past chairman the Dennis Lalor, who followed Sir John, took the protection of the integrity of the racing product to an uncompromising but fair level. So much so that the sanctions for breaches of the Racing Rules were unjustifiably and unwisely deemed “draconian”.
Under the succeeding Chairmen, Ren Gonzalves, Gerald Grindley, Gordon Robinson, Linton Walters, Rudolph Muir, Anthony Shoucair and Clovis Metcalfe, the Lalor model has been strictly honoured and there was no departure from sending the message that protecting the integrity of the racing product is a fundamental dynamic influencing the survival of the industry
Apart from persons engaged directly by the regulatory body and the promoting company, as well as the occupational groups, interestingly, and this just underscores the range of personalities, with bookmakers Frank Watson, Melville Chin and Cecil Charlton, along with promoter Joseph Armond, are recognized pioneers in driving interest in facilitating the enjoyment of wagering.
Even more interesting is inductee Rita McKenzie, late seamstress, who was married to a trainer, Alty, with two of their sons, David and Don, jockeys, while a third, John, was a trainer. In her own right, for five decades, she was the principal designer and manufacturer of the colours chosen by most owners. Also of interest is that two distinguished past racing journalists of the Gleaner, L. D. “Strebor” Roberts and Gussie “Hot Tip” Marks, made the list of honourees.
There are omissions of worthy nominees in all categories, but to my mind, the most notable is that of the Hon. Pat Rousseau, champion owner, breeder and a past chairman of promoting company Caymanas Track Limited, along with bookmaker Lucien Chen.
As far as the listing of racehorses is concerned, I think the accuracy is spot on.
Anyone can access the process and submit nominations. However, there has to be a deciding Standing Committee to eliminate missed opportunities and to ensure timeliness and appropriate relevance.
Breeders and owners are seemingly recognized under general Racing Personalities, but these are two special categories, and there are nominees eligible for both and should be treated as such.
With stallions and broodmares in their specific categories, it seems strange that breeders are not. Incidentally, that late great horseman Kenneth Mattis is honoured both as jockey and trainer.
These adjustments should be implemented for the upcoming cycle and the established Standing Committee should update the listing, including where relevant posthumously, for the accuracy of the annals of history.
The last Hall-Of-Fame induction ceremony in 2017 installed Dr St Aubyn Bartlett (veterinarian), Vincent Edwards (trainer), Richard Azan (trainer, breeder & owner), Christopher Armond (commentator & administrator), Brian Rickman (commentator/track announcer), David McKenzie (jockey), and Mark My Word (racehorse), the 2010 Triple Crown winner.
It is now nearly a decade on, and the JRC should issue a reminder of the criteria for eligibility and the process.
