Following the Emergency General Meeting, chaired by breeder and owner Desmond Lewis, the Thoroughbred Owners Breeders Association (TOBA) has announced ‘proudly’ the appointment of its board of directors, “who will serve to uphold the mission and vision of the Association while advancing the development of Jamaica’s thoroughbred industry”.

No one can deny that this board with breeder and owner Phillip Azar, a businessman, and Jeffrey Mordecai, a distinguished attorney-at-law, breeder and owner, president and vice-president, respectively, have the respect and confidence of the membership.

The other 10 directors, including Lewis, are Lincoln Sutherland, Courtney Thorpe, Dave Girod, Randolph McLean, Garwin Tulloch, Dr Graham Brown, Matthew Williams, Hubert Kerr and Alec Henderson. These gentlemen represent the best of the lovers of the sport investing for enjoyment and the camaraderie of sharing the space in this traditional elite club.

“These distinguished individuals bring with them a wealth of knowledge, passion and commitment to the sport and industry. Under their guidance, TOBA remains steadfast in its role to support and promote thoroughbred owners, breeders and the broader community.”

The foregoing is a quote from an ad published in the Track; Pools May 31, 2025 edition.

TOBA is part of the International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation (ITBF) replacing the1974 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation in 2012 and now has representation in six continents. The Jamaica chapter was founded 32 years ago by Mr Howard Hamilton, who presided since but did not seek re-election.

The mission of the ITBF is to provide representation and liaison with Racing Authorities, circulate information, disseminate best practices, awareness of veterinary advances and protect the integrity of the global stud book rules. This against legitimising artificial insemination, embryo transfer and cloning of the thoroughbred horse.

Under the three-decade-plus Hamilton Presidency, the TOBA fulfilled its objective as an effective lobbyist in dealing with the government and regulatory Jamaica Racing Commission. The organisation of the professionally conducted Annual Yearling Sales and Mr Hamiton’s constant charm offensive to persuade financially capable persons to become owners and breeders is legendary.

The new TOBA board and executive now has the task of settling the outstanding matter of a purse increase which has been a perennial problem. TOBA and United Racehorse Trainers of Jamaica have not been able to persuade promoting company Supreme Ventures Racing; Entertainment Limited to include the revenue garnered from simulcast in the calculations.

In fact, the owners see this as an entitlement, but there are reasonable arguments on both sides. For a number of reasons, interesting times are ahead in these matters. At the end of the day what must emerge is a mutually beneficial partnership of stakeholders and promoting company. On current trajectory the industry is not in good place with an aging and consequently decreasing horse population and race days as well as a flawed racing product that ensures more than half the races present odds-on favourites.