It was with sadness that the Complete Racing Guide received the news on Tuesday of the untimely passing of retired international steward, Desmond Riley, after a short period of illness.

Riley has had a long and distinguished association in the betting and horse-racing industries as, after graduating from his beloved Kingston College, he joined the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) in 1974 as an audit clerk after which he moved up the ranks to become a betting inspector.

1989 saw a change in Riley’s professional career as he moved from the BGLC to the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) where he was trained to be a race-day steward. In the process of his training over his years with the JRC, Riley successfully passed all his international courses to become an internationally accredited horse-racing steward. He retired two years ago from active service.

Colleague and close friend, steward Eustace Williams was devastated by the passing of Riley.

“We were very close, we came through the system together and his passing has left me devastated.

“Desmond was a close friend, and my thoughts are now with his family. Rest In Eternal Peace, my friend,” Williams shared with the Complete Racing Guide.