Horse racing stakeholders have agreed to the suspension of the new rule regarding start times which led to the abandonment of two races at Caymanas Park recently.

Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke, who convened a meeting on the heels of the drama-filled April 27 race meet, recommended that local regulators, the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), work on implementing a system of fines instead.

The decision to abandon races one and six was due to the amendment of Rule 44 of the JRC Racing Rules 1977 regarding start times. The controversial amended Rule 44(iii) had taken effect on April 1.

Dr Clarke said scrapping the races had unintended consequences, affecting various stakeholders in the local horse racing industry, including the Government.

“We have agreed that greater effort will be made on the part of all stakeholders to ensure that races start on time. Though the reason for it [the abandonment] was legitimate, because of the collective punishment and nature of that matter, we have agreed to suspend its application for the time being. And the JRC will work on a programme of fines that can be applied and made as a disincentive for a lack of punctuality in meetings. Even while doing that, Rule 44 (iii) will have to be refined to answer a number of other questions and queries that have arisen,” Dr Clarke said after a recent meeting with horse racing industry stakeholders held at his ministry.

Clovis Metcalfe, chairman of the JRC, said he was eager to collaborate with all parties for a solution about the application of Rule 44(iii).

“It has always been the intent of the JRC not to negatively impact the economy or the racing stakeholders. This suspension therefore allows the commission to revisit the rule and have it amended in accordance with the agreement between the promoter, the stakeholders, and the regulatory body,” Metcalfe told the Jamaica Observer.

Solomon Sharpe, executive chairman of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), the sole promoter of horse racing in Jamaica, said that his company also welcomed the recommendations arising from the meeting convened by Dr Clarke.

“We’re satisfied with the decision taken to suspend Rule 44(iii) and look forward to further consultations with the JRC. The sustainability of the industry requires collaboration, and SVREL reaffirms our commitment to open dialogue with all stakeholders,” Sharpe said.

Race one, which had a scheduled off time of 12:00 pm, was abandoned at approximately 12:25 pm. The delay was due to a saddling issue with
Boss Izzy, while Timetosaygoodbye was subject to a mandatory JRC veterinary check after rearing and falling upon exiting the saddling barn.

The sixth event was abandoned at approximately 3:27 pm, 17 minutes after the scheduled time of 3:10 pm. The delay was caused when
Edina Marsh broke out onto the racetrack before the horses began to load for the start. The bay mare eventually left the racetrack, while the horses were still parading at the starting gate.

Following a heated exchange between stakeholders and JRC members on the North Lounge Floor at the venue, live horse racing resumed at approximately 4:00 pm. The stakeholders, including owners, trainers, jockeys, and bettors, have argued that the situation was mishandled and the abandonment unwarranted.

The amendment to Rule 44 meant that once a post time for a race is made official, for example, 12:40 pm, that race can be abandoned by the race day stewards if the starter does not press the start button within five minutes after the published post time.