One hundred Derbies (no Dalmations)
Tomorrow is a big deal in local horse racing as Caymanas Park hosts Jamaica Derby’s 100th running. One more and we could make a movie. The first Derby, run at Knutsford …
Land reform must follow Hurricane Melissa
In 1838, slavery was abolished in the British West Indies. It was the end of an over 300-year policy, practice, and business of enslaving Africans to work on the sugar plantations on …
Trainers Are The Real Superstars
Exciting contests for the last two trainers’ championships have brought the work of race horse conditioning into focus. Jockeys are the super-stars of racing (undeservedly in my opinion) because they’re the …
Rooting Out Corruption
Recently a jockey was found with a battery (allegedly) and another fined and suspended for betting on a race in contravention of a rule that restricts jockeys to betting on (and …
Jamaica’s Football – Where Do we Go From Here (Part 2)
Last week I examined the state of Jamaica’s football. Now, I make my recommendations for improvement. The ‘degarrisonization’ of Jamaica’s football. As indicated last week, FIFA has mandated that the governance …
Batteries? What About Raceday Medication?
The track is agog regarding an alleged battery finding last Saturday. The horse was withdrawn and Allen, the jockey, sidelined pending investigation. But, on Monday, before any “investigation” could commence, Racing …
Jamaica’s Football – Where do we go from here (Part 1)
Sunday, November 16, 1997; June 14, 1998 and May 10, 2015 are dates that all local football fans should have indelibly imprinted on their minds. The nil all draw versus Mexico …
School Sports Under Covid 19
The body in charge of school sports (ISSA) has announced through its president that it will continue the preparation for school sports until the Government advises it differently. ISSA has also …
Grading Of Horses And Tracks
Everybody knows I’m no fan of Sunday racing. I’m concerned about interference with family time; with occupational license holders’ day of rest; and encouragement of punter fatigue which could come with …
Owners Needed and a Guineas Preview
Clear, uncomplicated reality is that the racing industry is dying a slow, tortured, demise as racehorse owners desert the ship faster than Jerry ever ran from Tom. As usual the promoter’s …
Bluff, Double Bluff And Bluster
So local horse racing returned on June 13 after much behind-the-scenes activity and in front of the camera contention. At time of publication four race days have been run; the cards …