Eeether Or Eyether
For decades, Jamaican horsemen and purveyors of horseracing opinion have debated whether Jamaica should introduce a tote monopoly. The “debate” has proceeded on the premise that we currently have two players …
Oh, just because they can! – The idea of “Might is Right”
There was a time when corporal punishment was part and parcel of our Jamaican school system. It was, perhaps, a holdover from the old British colonial era. It was often abused …
A Very Personal Horseracing Journey (Part II)
Monte’s Stitch’s 1972 Gold Cup weight-carrying feat was one of many by local champions those days. No horse’s career was memorable without at least one weight-defying performance that could fuel arguments …
A Very Personal Horseracing Journey
Believe it or not (By Ripley) this is my 100th Public Opinion column. What better way to celebrate than to re-tell Part I of a story last told almost 20 years …
Does Horseracing Have A Future?
Now that the United Racehorse Trainers Association’s internal squabbles appear settled, there’s a sudden surge of public interest in the future of horseracing. Unfortunately, this appears to be fixated on a …
Cycle Of Self-Destruction
On January 21 news broke that, again, unrest raged at Caymanas Park. Yet again, the fundamental bone of contention was the slow pace of purse increase negotiations and minimal offers made …
Speed Trap!
January is always the most difficult time for speed figure nerds like me. The calculation of track variants and corrected times in order to produce accurate speed figures becomes even more …
What’s New For 2022?
Happy New Year to all those who dressed up to go downstairs and bring in the New Year at home… 2021 went out with a bang at Caymanas Park as Anthony …
Yuletide Racing Reflections
’Tis the season and all that… It’s traditional to reflect on the year’s happenings as we draw to the end of yet another racing year. For me the standout performer must …
Forward Ever Backward Never
The most important factor in finding winners is the state of the going. It’s the horses’ main external contact so, as Dennis Brown might say, some like it hot; some like …
Konichiwa Seken!
Despite the obdurate obstacles of a pandemic, 2021 has been a breakthrough year for Japanese sport. Hideki Matsuyama’s historic victory in the Masters at Augusta in April gave Japan its first …