Despite many events horseracing in 2014 still disappointing

Jan 25, 2015 Sports

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Absence of legislation biggest bugbear

By Samuel Whyte
A review of things in the horseracing arena for 2014 has shown that not much have changed from previous years and it can be simply concluded in some quarters that things have actually gotten progressively worse. This is despite the many events that were held during the year. The main reason according to pundits in the industry is the absence of the long overdue Horse Racing Legislation.
The simple facts are that the country is without proper rules governing the sport and the Government is being blamed as the biggest culprit.
The year 2014 has seen a number of events being held, but without rules anything goes.
Although there has been a Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) in place for last year, that body is incapable of doing much without proper legislation to govern the sport. The GHRA for a fact had a tough time administering the sport with many clubs and owners displeased with how things were done. With the existence of the GHRA running into trouble with some disgruntled members trying to boot the president out. That did not succeed and the breakaway faction soon formed themselves into a body and also called themselves the GHRA.
If one say that the sport is in disarray a number of persons will not be pleased, but the reality is, if it’s not there then it is quickly heading in that direction.
Quite unlike some years before when race dates were allocated and the GHRA and clubs sat down and had a meeting to streamline things for the year that did not happen and from all appearance it might not happen this year.
Actually from reports no one is listening to authority and persons are bent on doing as they are pleased with dates being sprung up like wild fire.
However according to most horseracing pundits things can get better if the government passes the legislation so that offenders can be dealt with.
The Horseracing scenario in Guyana is not very well organized and is presently best being described as running on auto pilot.  The blame can be thrown at many quarters. Starting with the Government, the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA), the respective race tracks, horse owners and even fans can all be contributory factors for the declining standard. The relevant authorities need to get their act together with the rules being bent to suit certain situations and persons.
Those in the horseracing business either by choice or commitment are putting the blame squarely at the feet of the Government for refusing to come to the assistance of the sport which once brought honour and glory to Guyana. The question being asked is why isn’t the government assisting Horseracing? Their main bone of contention is the refusal of the government to lay the draft horseracing legislation in parliament for it to become law.
Owners say the Government and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) through their attitude is killing the sport. They want to know if there is legislation within Caricom concerning trade, free trade and duty free; why animals, feed and other necessities coming in from the Caribbean are being taxed. According to pundits over 1500 persons are directly employed in the horseracing industry, while thousands more benefit.
Despite the influx of large sums of money, things still leave much to be desired.  There is no system in place to disseminate information. Such as the amount of wins by an animal, by the respective stable, top animals for the year, top stable, top jockey for the year.  Some grooms and connections are peeved that no end of year award ceremony is held.
While some tracks and stables try to maintain some standard others are found badly wanting. Closing dates are rarely observed and entries are mostly allowed until race day. Doping is wide spread and out of control it has been stated. Some are calling for the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to take note. Crowd control continues to be a serious problem with persons who are not officials and affiliated to the animals all on the track at the same time even during races. Betting should be controlled and they need to be a reintroduction of the betting booths.
It is not certain how many functioning clubs are in existence at the moment. However the Bush Lot United Turf Club (BLUTC), The Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC), the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC), the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC), the Budhan Memorial Turf Club would usually attract large crowds, but there is need for improvements which the authorities promised will be done. The Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club and Sports Facilities (RCMTC&SF) had some events but under a new name.  It is not certain what the situation is with the Norman Singh Memorial Turf Club (NSMTC) and the Anjune and Hamlet Park race track at Mahaicony.
The year also saw the controversy with Guyana’s only ‘A’ class horses, Score’s Even, being unable to race on some race tracks and race meets simply because of its class. That should not be and something should and needs to be worked out.  The year also saw one of the main sponsors Digicel pulling out of sponsorship due to the controversies. Banks DIH and others such as DDL, Ansa McAl and the Trophy Stall, Bourda Market, Jumbo Jet and Shariff Business Enterprise were among some of the leading sponsors during the year.
It is hoped that those responsible including the government will get their act together fast and help save the sport from total destruction.

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