The Jamaica Racehorse Trainers Association (JRTA) and the United Racehorse Trainers Association of Jamaica (URTA) are not in total agreement with the divestment process of the racing complex and have written to the government for further documentation.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting between the JRTA and URTA at Caymanas Park on Tuesday last.

JRTA president Vincent Edwards explained the reason for the meeting and the decision taken by both associations.

“The Minister of Finance has announced a date for the handing over of the racetrack to the preferred bidder, which is Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL).

“We have not yet seen the final draft of the Supreme Ventures prospectus.

“Although the other bidder, Mr Lake, gave us his copy… we decided that we would go with Supreme Ventures.

“We cannot be stakeholders at this racetrack, with some of us being here over 50 years, and allow the government to pass over the racetrack to Supreme Ventures without having a copy of the prospectus used to come to that decision.

“We are, therefore, asking that we be handed a copy of the prospectus before November. Let me add we have seen the arrangement. What we have not seen is a final draft copy of the prospectus.

“And we should see this before the handing-over ceremony. We are the most important section of the operations. We are the means of production,” Edwards pointed out.

URTA president Dale Murphy said following joint talks with the Vin Edwards-led JRTA, the final conclusion of Edwards is that they would all want to see the final draft of the prospectus – the document that will have the proposed development of the Park – and he did not think that at this time it should be confidential. “Nothing is wrong with what he has said,” Murphy pointed out.

“This could be the best plan for the track,” Murphy continued, “but not to know is like groping in the dark.

“We as stakeholders have a right to know what is in store for us, and going forward, it has to be something good. So I cannot see why it is not known as yet to us as it cannot remain confidential.

“The prospectus is the document that tells us what the exact plans are, the timelines and what is going to be done in terms of the development of the track.

“The stakeholders group is a unique entity – owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms are all stakeholders of the racetrack and the racing industry.

“It is the most important resource in this business of horse racing at Caymanas Park.

“No other business entity in Jamaica is like this. The promoter does not have the resources – the horses, trainers, jockeys and grooms – those are the human resources which operate the business.

“We come every day to work and that is the service that we offer to the promoters and the racing industry,” Murphy said.