Paul Ramsay, an internationally qualified steward, said that the recently held Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) racing officials training session was a big success since racing officials now have a better understanding of what is expected of them to make the racing sector better and more reliable.

The seminar took place in the trainers’ room at Caymanas Park on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

The purpose of the exercise was to reacquaint all categories of racing officials with the rules and generally what is expected of them while conducting their duties. It is geared at ensuring that every member understands how critical a role they play in safeguarding the integrity of racing locally.

“The importance of this seminar is for our officials to gain knowledge of their duties and responsibilities on race days so that they can execute their jobs with accuracy and efficiency,” Ramsay told the Jamaica Observer‘s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“The stewards are committed to providing a credible and reliable racing industry that will maintain the integrity of the sport of horse racing in Jamaica.

“It was a good turnout as all the racing officials were present as well as the entire starting gate attendants. So it was a good turnout, and we are quite pleased,” Ramsay added.

“From time to time we realise that this training seminar is important for the continuation of educational courses, and so we decided to move ahead quickly on it. And so, from time to time we do scheduled courses of training for the officials.

“We have to maintain the integrity of the sport that when people are betting they are sure that they are betting on a reliable product that is well regulated and all the rules are enforced,” the former jockey said.

Racing Secretary Denzil Miller, who was in attendance at the lecture, expressed his excitement and gratitude to the JRC for bringing back this programme.

“This was a very important seminar that the JRC, in association with us here at Caymanas Park, have undertaken. It used to be an annual affair, but there was a break, and we are now happy that we are able to host it once again,” Miller said.

“This will continue to reassure our racing fans that our racing officials are in line with the rules of racing in Jamaica and, of course, best practices as well. We are happy that it is back, and it is going to be an annual thing once again,” Miller ended.

Michael Simms, starter; Dwayne Timoll, assistant starter; Kirk Kong, patrol judge; Brian Carr, clerk of the scale; Dwayne Swaby, assistant clerk of the scale; Norman Robertson, clerk of the saddling barn and parade ring; Nikail Robertson, assistant clerk of the saddling barn and parade ring; Michael Lee, clerk of the paddock; Rod Campbell, assistant clerk of the paddock; and the starting gates crew were among the attendees at the seminar.