Dr Sophia Ramlal, former senior veterinarian of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), has embarked on a new chapter in her distinguished career. After 25 years of dedicated service to the care and welfare of horses, Dr Ramlal has taken up the role of director of veterinary services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, effective February 3.

“That is some big shoes to fill and it is really still in the service of the people of Jamaica. It is a job that takes me and keeps me working for the Government of Jamaica with slightly different responsibilities, a lot more responsibilities. So I’m looking forward to that challenge, another period of growth,” Dr Ramlal said.

As director of veterinary services, Dr Ramlal will play a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of animals across Jamaica. Her expertise will be invaluable in preventing the spread of diseases, managing quarantine facilities, and promoting animal welfare.

“It is much broader. It does include national duties in terms of being…the other way to refer to this position is a chief veterinary officer. So you are tasked with being that oversight officer. You have that responsibility for national duties in terms of national disease management, preventing the entry of disease, the import-export of every animal, animal products, monitoring at the ports, managing the quarantine facilities at Plum Point that horsemen are very well familiar with,” Dr Ramlal explained.

“All of those things fall within that division and I get to be part of that team that is going to manage not just those duties that horsemen are familiar with, but so much more that seeks to ensure the health and well-being of all animals and then also the attendant benefits of protecting animal and public health, human health by extension.

“Ruminants, cows, every animal that comes into this country has to come through the Ministry of Agriculture and that quarantine division, the quarantine station that is at Plum Point is that facility where those animals are quarantined. The area that I’m moving into has direct responsibility for that and so it’s much broader than horses. Horses are a big part of it, but goats, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, horses, every live animal that comes into this country,” Dr Ramlal further explained.

Dr Ramlal’s remarkable tenure with the JRC has been marked by numerous accomplishments, including her proactive stance on equine welfare, ensuring racing horses receive optimal treatment and rehabilitation.

As she begins this new chapter, Dr Ramlal leaves behind a community grateful for her contributions and inspired by her dedication to animal welfare. Her commitment to promoting animal health and welfare will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the lives of animals and people across Jamaica.

Dr Ramlal has tackled a wide range of challenges, from routine health assessments to emergency care during races. Her commitment to excellence has earned her recognition as a leader in her field, and her legacy extends beyond her professional accomplishments.

Dr Ramlal emphasised her lifelong connection to horse racing.

“I could never cut contacts with horse racing,” she said.

“That’s in my blood, born, bred and raised. I grew up around horses through my father who was an owner for many, many years and even before coming to the racetrack, I would have been to farms, knew that I wanted to come and work here. So it certainly does not mean cutting really what has been a lifetime with this product.

“It does mean fostering avenues and creating the alliances that we can build on. Things we’ve been working with the Veterinary Services Division, even in my time here at the Racing Commission. So it’s a transition that allows me to be able to work on the projects, to continue to work on the projects that we have started and really just look for further avenues for collaboration,” Dr Ramlal ended.