During his tenure as minister of finance in 1971, Edward Seaga, eventually prime minister (1980-89), determined that a racing commission, controlled in its function and funding by the Accountant General Department, should be established to formalise Government’s involvement in the conduct, regulation and direct support of the horse racing industry in Jamaica.

Under the direction of Sir John Mordecai, who was tasked in 1971 by Seaga, by 1975, the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) Act, with Canadian and English Jockey Club input, was promulgated. In 1977, the JRC introduced a comprehensive manual of racing rules to standardise the requisite regulation of the horse-racing industry.

Importantly, as well, by 1975, the Government established the JRC and the Betting Gaming & Lotteries Commission (BG&LC) boards to oversee the management of the Government’s involvement in the licensing and regulation of the then entities in the gaming industry. Before then, the Jockey Club of Jamaica, similar in administrative functions to the 1750 English Jockey Club, since renamed the 2007 British Horseracing Authority, had the responsibility for approval of the promoters and enforcing the racing rules.

Obviously, with the advent of midweek racing in 1970, the local industry had progressed spectacularly and well beyond the capability of the Jockey Club of Jamaica’s involvement. Incidentally, two private entities, Lai Corporation Limited and Peter Duquesnay Investments Limited, had unsuccessful stints as promoters in the early seventies. Prior to these, the two other licensees were Knutsford Park Limited and Jamaica Turf Club.

Through the instrumentality of then Prime Minister Michael Manley, Racing Promotions Limited, with the stakeholders including the occupational groups as shareholders, was established. However, in 1981 it gave way to Caymanas Track Limited, owned and operated by the Government with a mandate to continue as the sole promoting company of live horse racing in Jamaica by Seaga, who succeeded Manley as prime minister.

The JRC assumed the responsibility for all aspects of the regulation, including the approval of the promoting company’s racing calendar in 1975, professional and internationally accredited operation stewards, and other staff for the regulation of race meetings and disciplinary matters to adjudicate breaches of the racing rules, not only by the operatives in the industry, but also members of the public if the need arose.

Importantly, in addition to the limited disciplinary authority of the race day operation stewards, a first instance tribunal, authorised under the JRC Act, was given powers even akin to a resident magistrate’s court to adjudicate alleged breaches of the racing rules. Over the half-century of its existence, this tribunal has been uncompromising, but fair under the chairmanship of distinguished legal practitioners.

The JRC took steps immediately to ensure best practices were on par with other racing jurisdictions globally. The certification to international standards of a trainers’ course and a riding school for jockeys elevated these operatives to a professional level, constituting two of many signal achievements of this regulatory body.

The maintenance of a highly efficient veterinary department for monitoring the health and well-being of the thoroughbred population has delivered spectacularly in a unique field where the skill set of these professionals is on trial daily. There is a well-appointed statistics department publishing, in great accurate detail, the record of owners, professional groups, stud farms and the racing performances of horses annually. A categorised JRC Hall of Fame, to which any member of the fraternity can submit nominations, ensures recognition of the worthy operatives in the industry.

In terms of protecting the integrity of the racing product through regulation, the chairmanship of the JRC has been exercised with consistency by all the gentlemen entrusted with this responsibility. Founding Chairman Sir John Mordecai was succeeded in turn by Dennis Lalor, Ren Gonsalves, Gerald Grindley, Gordon Robinson, Linton Walters, Rudolph Muir and Clovis Metcalfe, followed by Anthony Shoucair.

Incidentally, Metcalfe returned in 2019 and is the current dual office holder (JRC & Casino Gaming Commission). Also of note is that many of these administrators, as distinguished owners and breeders, are stalwart contributors to the racing industry and served as BG&LC and JRC chairmen simultaneously.