THE hierarchy of horseracing promoters Caymans Track Limited (CTL) yesterday issued a statement condemning Friday morning’s gun slaying of second generation trainer Anthony ‘Tony’ Kirlew at a stables on the Caymanas Park racetrack compound.

The promoters have also pledged to strengthen security on the 197-acre compound in which no person will be allowed to enter the property without the appropriate identification badges.

Said the statement: “The Chairman and Board of Directors of Caymanas Track Limited condemns the dastardly act that took place yesterday (Friday) in which Mr Tony Kirlew was brutally murdered at Caymanas Park at the stables in broad daylight. The victim is the brother of well-known racehorse trainer Mr Lorne Kirlew. The Caymanas family extends their deepest sympathies to Mr Kirlew’s Family.

“As a result of this incident the company’s security has been strengthened and no person will be allowed to enter the stable compound without the appropriate identification badges. Additional security will be put in place for the Raceday today (yesterday). Caymanas security is working along with the police to apprehend the criminals as quickly as possible.”

Kirlew, whose charges once included the highly rated Missmyrtleboyrichie, was shot and killed on the premises of Caymanas Park, St Catherine, by gunmen Friday morning.

The Jamaica Observer understands that Kirlew, 50, who had not been training for sometime, returned to the track Friday morning with Lorne, who graduated from the Jamaica Racing Commission’s trainers’ course last September and now trains leading sprinters Missmyrtleboyrichie and Richieshappynotion when he was confronted by the gunmen at about 10 o’clock.

The St Catherine Major Investigation Task Force is probing the murder.

Kirlew is the third trainer killed at Caymanas since 2004. Trainer Howard Phillipps was shot dead by a lone gunman in the confines of his stable on Saturday, February 7, 2004 shortly before the start of the day’s race meet. The gunman on that occasion made good his escape over the fence.

Donovan Bruce was shot dead by two gunmen inside his stable on November 7, 2009. He was shot three times in the head and once in the abdomen by the gunman, who scaled the fence to gain access to his stable and escaped by the same route.