McKay Security, the longest-serving security company to have served at Caymanas Park, celebrated its 20th year at the Portmore, St Catherine, racetrack on New Year’s Day with sponsorship of the McKay Security Limited Trophy for $180,000 claimers.

Traditionally well supported due to its enhanced prize money for the lowest level of racers at Caymanas Park, the 1,820-metre event was divided into two sections due to the number of entries — 22 runners — of which 20 competed for a total purse of $1.5m.

Jason McKay, chief executive officer at McKay Security Limited, said the race, in its 16th year, was specifically tailored for that group of horses and the professionals associated with those runners.

“I continue to sponsor that level of runners because, through the ups and downs of the 20 years McKay Security has been at Caymanas Park, it has been the racing professionals on the ground, especially the unions, which have stood up for us in the face of adversity.

“Therefore, New Year’s Day was just a continuation of acknowledging the unions for their support and sponsoring the level of racing with which they are most associated, the bottom-of-the-barrel claimers,” McKay added.

McKay Security has, by at least a decade, been the longest-serving security firm at Caymanas Park. The firm has gone beyond merely providing security services, getting integrally involved in community outreach projects while McKay, a district constable, has been waging a battle against extortionists and gangs in Portmore.

“When various elements were trying to sully the company’s name in order to have us removed, it was the unions who painted the true picture of the work we were doing.

“They are on the ground and understand, better than anybody else, what we have been doing over the years. It is their support that has kept us here,” said McKay.

Meanwhile, in committing to the 2017 sponsorship, McKay said the conditions of the race will be adjusted to ensure that the lowest-earning horses benefit.

“For the 21st year, it will be two races as sual. However, one will be for open $180,000 claimers whereas the other will be tied to genuine $180,000 horses, those who have raced at the level for a while and haven’t earned a particular amount of money over a set time,” he revealed.