THE official news is that Elite Bloodstock has been crowned champion owners for racing year 2012. And while heartiest congratulations are extended to the untold number of participants who make up the unique company that is Elite Bloodstock, we would be remiss in not offering Michros, headed by Michael Bernard, kudos for the wonderful manner in which he has conducted himself in this bizarre saga of choosing the champion owner.

Let us backtrack a bit. At the end of the last raceday for the year, December 29, 2012, the Racing Commission, based on its statistics, had Michros as the owners’ champion, with Caymanas Track Limited (CTL), the promoters of racing, having Elite Bloodstock. Tongues were wagging in and out of the Park as the racing public was left in a quandary as no official communication was forthcoming and no public explanations were given.

We hear now that the entity in charge of the final figures is CTL and that the Racing Commission simply keeps figures as part of its role as the custodian and preservers of racing. So, the final decision was left to CTL who has declared that Elite Bloodstock be anointed champions.

We are also hearing that the discrepancies with the Racing Commission’s stats and that of CTL were based on the little known addition of the stated price for trophies won to the winning owner/owners’ final amount. Wow! What a way to lose a championship. Up to Wednesday, a check on the CTL website’s statistics section listed the winner of the owners championship is listed as Michros.

Both Elite and Michros have handled this rather daunting and curious situation well. They have refrained from any public statements and with decorum have waited on the final decision of CTL. However, one has to feel pain for Michros. Michael Bernard had no knowledge of the cost of trophy issue and so, too, many other owners. He planned his strategy for winning the championship on the basis of the stated figures given over the Christmas period. That he eventually lost on a rule, hidden deep in the crypt of CTL, must be difficult to accept. Yet he has held his propriety and correctness.

This must not happen again. Many will say the addition of trophy monies is a long-standing one, certainly the CTL personnel, and the issue, would never have arisen if the owners’ championship was not so close. But what of the wider interest that the promoting company must serve? They have been neglected for too long. Owners, new and old — and Michros is a relatively new owner — must know these rules. The public on which the CTL is dependent must be told.

Print it in the official race book from time to time and remove the doubt. By doing this, an individual like Bernard, who has invested so much in racing, would not be affected in such a cold and unforgiving manner. He has accepted defeat and will try again, for certain.

It is time racing gets it right, especially with the persons who are direct participants. Again, to Elite Bloodstock who did nothing wrong, congratulations.