JRC steadfast
Chairman Metcalfe vows to uphold highest standards of fair play, integrity and accountability in local horse racing
HORSE racing, a sport rich in history and grandeur, is sometimes marred by allegations of corruption.
Whispers of race-fixing and insider influence can cast a shadow over the sport, undermining fan trust and the game’s integrity.
The significant clout wielded by owners, trainers, and jockeys further adds to the concerns, leaving both punters and authorities wondering whether race results are actually legitimate.
The recent 25-race day suspension of jockey Jerome Innis has brought these issues to light. Innis was charged with failing to ensure that his mount Whisky performed optimally in the third race at Caymanas Park on June 2, 2024. Whisky, the overwhelming favourite entering the race, finished fourth.
Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) promptly intervened, judging Innis’s conduct unacceptable.
According to Clovis Metcalfe, chairman of JRC, Innis is fortunate to have been suspended for only 25 race days, considering the severity of the offence. He added that available evidence painted a clear picture.
“I think that Jerome Innis was very lucky to get away with only [a] 25-race day suspension,” Metclafe told the Jamaica Observer.
“Looking at the race and listening to what the trainer said, there was no evidence at all to suggest that his foot accidentally slipped out of the stirrup.”
Metcalfe emphasised that the commission has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to manipulating races, and that Innis’s actions were a clear violation of this policy.
“The act was blatant. He [Innis] was aboard Whisky, the howling favourite on the day, and the horse still came back and ran fourth in the race. But it was blatant. Innis said that stirrup was broken — and that was not true — so there was nothing to cause his foot to slip out of the stirrup,” the chairman stated.
Metcalfe said that JRC’s decision serves as a reminder to all jockeys to prioritise the well-being and success of their horses, and to always strive for excellence in their performance. The commission, he said, is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the sport, and will continue to take swift action against any individual who fails to meet these standards.
“We have to protect those who have invested so much into the sport from those who are bringing racing into dispute. Racing is on an upward trend, and we have to continue going forward and so we want everyone to comply,” Metcalfe said.
Phillip Parchment, president of Jamaica Jockeys’ Guild, weighed in on the suspension of Innis, expressing sympathy regarding the situation while urging caution and understanding from all parties involved.
“It’s an unfortunate situation,” Parchment said, acknowledging Innis’s account of events. “He gave his account of what happened; he is the jockey who is riding out there and so you have to give him the benefit of the doubt… it’s just an unfortunate situation.”
While accepting the stewards’ decision, Parchment hopes that jockeys will exercise greater caution in the future and that the stewards will consider the riders’ perspectives more thoroughly, giving them the benefit of the doubt when possible.
“The stewards have made their decision based on their interpretation of the evidence, including the film footage. While we respect their ruling we can’t comment further on the matter, however I urge all jockeys to exercise greater caution in the future. And I also hope that the stewards will consider the jockeys’ perspectives more thoroughly, giving them the benefit of the doubt whenever possible,” he said.
Several high-profile incidents in the past have also shaken the horse racing community, sparking debates about fair play and integrity.
Former champion jockey Anthony Thomas faced scrutiny for his ride on Blu Attitude in the ninth and final race on March 18, 2023. Thomas rose in the saddle as his horse gained pace on eventual winner Loose Cannon in the closing stages of the race in which he finished second by three-quarters of a length. The JRC ultimately accepted his explanation for the controversial finish. It was said that Thomas told the committee that he had sand in his eyes, and that Blu Attitude had shown signs of being lame.
On March 7, 2023 female jockey Samantha Fletcher was suspended for 25 race days for not riding her mount on merit. The incident happened on February 4 when Fletcher rode Gone A Negril in the seventh race on the day, finishing seventh. Fletcher later appealed the decision and her suspension was reduced by five days.
Former champion jockey Shane Ellis was embroiled in two notable controversies.
On October 21, 2013 Morebulletstofire dislodged Ellis shortly after the start of the seventh race over the five straight (1,000m), as Greater Glory scored an upset victory. Following the race, then-promoter Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) issued a press release accusing Ellis of race-fixing. Ellis strongly denied the allegations and sued CTL, winning that multimillion-dollar lawsuit in the Supreme Court.
On August 27, 2020 Ellis was found guilty of breaching JRC rules by purchasing bets from Post to Post Betting Limited. He received a $75,000 fine, a five-day suspension, and was required to donate any winnings from the bets to a racing industry charity.