Marketing and Competition the Key
In the July 21 edition of Public Opinion, I addressed what I called the “sharp decline” of race horse owners (“Owners are People Too”) which the powers-that-be in the sport …
Jamaica Election Day 2025 in Retrospect
Jamaica’s general election for 2025 has come and it has gone. When I look back to the elections of the 1970s, of the 1980s and of the 1990s, I have to …
Upside down taxation policy
My usually reliable sources tell me this year’s Yearling Sale has hit rock bottom with only 86 entries. EIGHTY-SIX? Christ on a crutch, that’s down 34% from 2016’s paltry 130 and …
Always insist on “value”
How often have you heard the refrain from punters exiting the track with empty pockets “but mi did pick five winners today…”? These punters have lost sight of the most important …
Fillies’ Time of Year
As the long hot summer takes its toll, especially on fillies, and the months tick over into August, serious handicappers should be longing for autumn. Every summer, especially these climate-change-induced hell-fire …
Stop Playing Games with Sports
Jamaicans have a mad passion for sports. Be it the man who plays community football every Sunday, or the woman who goes all out in our local netball leagues, we indulge in …
Owners Are People Too!
The most important persons in any industry are the customers, which is why the record high takeouts by Jamaica’s racing promoter must be addressed if the industry is to survive. …
Another winner on merit loses
Once again, a piece of horse racing history has been written by officials instead of contestants as the stewards stepped in and disqualified yet another Grade 1 winner. From as far …
Time for financial fundamentals
Turning local horse racing around won’t be easy for the simple reason it’s been operating on too many fiscal fallacies for too long. Firstly, the industry’s investors have been put to sit …
Claiming not selling
Some misguided, or maybe forgetful, pundits have been calling for racing to return to the handicapping system. The forgetfulness from which they appear to suffer is that we were there before. …
MILES OF DIAMONDS
I suspect horsemen would be unhappy was I in any position of authority over our local racing industry. My first official act would be to scrap the Diamond Mile. Even when …