Latest update November 24th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Letter to the Sports Editor…Elcock asks questions on horse racing legislation

Sep 28, 2014 Sports

Dear Sir,
I the undersigned, Colin Elcock, has observed an article in your newspaper dated September 23rd, 2014 with the heading Drafted Horse Racing Legislation Arbitrary, Null and Void.
That heading has prompted my response to correct whatever misunderstanding emanated from the administrators of some race tracks.
I am a prominent horse owner and trainer for over 30 years now with approximately 12 racehorses under my care. My farm that is situated on the Corentyne has a similar amount of breeding horses and foals.
The problem that we the horse owners and trainers are facing are proper regulation of the business of horse racing where the clubs tends to look after their own interest without paying attention to the bigger picture of rules governing the sport, clean racing without the use of banners, enhancing drugs, stud books, illegal betting and a host of other difficulties faced, coupled with the level of frustration due to infighting.
I was entrusted with the task from my late Uncle, Senior Council Marcel Crawford, to uplift some copies of the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority Rules which he used to draft our current legislation this document was presented to the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture over five years now without much action being taken.
The secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority Mr. David  Loregnard  was invited by me to come down on one of our Big day of horse racing to get a firsthand look into our local racing based on the constant enquiry as to why we in Guyana can’t have our legislation in place to date, the guy did come for our Guyana Cup Horse Race meet in August during which time he personally dropped off a copy of the Trinidad Racing Legislation to the sports minister for us the stake holders to meet and study, he even volunteered to return sometime in October when everyone by then would be acquainted with the rules to meet and state their views. Mr. Fazal Habibulla was kept constantly updated by me on progress being made.
What I can’t understand from your article, on whose behalf  those mentioned track owners are speaking on, are they trying to say the Guyana Horse Racing is just about race track owners and Administrators, what about the horses owners, Trainers, Jockeys and Grooms don’t we have any say over the legislation.
So what should we do with our horses which are expensive to upkeep while these guys are playing king for land on who are legitimate to rule over the clubs that surprisingly have no control or ownership of the horses that are privately owned.
Time does not permit me to go into more details. But sir we need our legislation very bad, it’s long overdue even if we have to work directly with the Sports Ministry and leave the Guyana Horse Race Track Authority to war between themselves.
This document clearly charts the way forward with regards to who could be in charge by a Democratic Process with all stakeholders’ interests being addressed.
Colin Elcock
Horse Owner/Trainer

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

West Indies ride on Greaves’ 115 to exert dominance over Bangladesh

West Indies ride on Greaves’ 115 to exert dominance over...

Nov 24, 2024

ESPNcricinfo – A maiden Test century for Justin Greaves headlined a dominant day for West Indies against Bangladesh on day two of the Antigua Test. After his 115 helped West Indies post 450 for...
Read More
Marian, Potaro, Waramuri and St John the Baptist advance into the semis

Marian, Potaro, Waramuri and St John the Baptist...

Nov 24, 2024

Adams, Ghani smash hundreds in runs-filled ERC T10 Tapeball 

Adams, Ghani smash hundreds in runs-filled ERC...

Nov 24, 2024

RHTYSC honours top LCSS Student with Claudette Foster Memorial Award

RHTYSC honours top LCSS Student with Claudette...

Nov 24, 2024

IBA President congratulates Steve Ninvalle on his re-election as GBA head

IBA President congratulates Steve Ninvalle on his...

Nov 24, 2024

Fireworks expected in Mayoral Cycle Road Race in New Amsterdam today as Mayor expected to lead ride off

Fireworks expected in Mayoral Cycle Road Race in...

Nov 24, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]