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Legislation and Investment: Trinidad to Brazil, Guyana finds new lifeline
Kaieteur Sports– For years, Guyanese horsemen made their mark at the Trinidad Stud Farm Association Yearling Sale, consistently topping sales and fueling the local industry. But when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the Trinidad racing industry took a devastating hit. The once thriving racing scene dwindled, leaving Guyanese horsemen in distress, scrambling for a way to sustain the sport back home.
Olympic Kremlin was one horse bought in Brazil and made a tremendous impact immediately on arrival.
With breeding in Guyana lacking consistency and the cost of importing horses from the USA skyrocketing, both in purchase price and shipping expenses, Guyanese owners were faced with an uphill battle. Jamaica, another potential market, was ruled out temporarily due to the lack of direct cargo flights to Guyana for now. The lifeline question: How could the country’s horseracing industry stay afloat in a time of economic and logistical uncertainty?
Enter Brazil! A solution carved out of necessity, ambition, and determination. The brainchild behind Guyana’s largest horse imports year after year has once again paved the way forward. Following the successful formula once applied in Trinidad, where Guyanese buyers topped sales for years, they have now shifted their focus to Brazil, and the results have been nothing short of groundbreaking.
At a prestigious Brazilian Thoroughbred auction on Wednesday evening, Guyanese buyers made a historic impact. Securing 12 Thoroughbreds, they dominated the sale, purchasing more horses than any other group. Notably, they acquired all of the top five sale toppers, including the highest-priced horse of the auction. Another prominent Guyanese owner finalized private purchases of six additional Thoroughbreds, bringing the total count to 18 horses set to arrive in Guyana soon.
Olympic Kremlin was one similar horse bought in Brazil and made a tremendous impact on the local horseracing scene immediately after its arrival. Could these new additions follow in similar vein? Only time will tell.
These aren’t yearlings needing time to mature, these are seasoned three-year-olds and older, horses with race experience, ready to continue their careers on Guyana’s growing circuit. Their immediate destination? The Easter Cup at Port Mourant Turf Club, where racing fans will witness the impact of this strategic investment firsthand.
But beyond these acquisitions, the industry’s long-term vision remains focused on legislation currently tabled in Parliament. This critical piece of legislation, when passed, is expected to bring unprecedented growth to the sport, establishing a more structured and sustainable racing environment. The industry is counting on it, knowing that with the right framework in place, Guyana can elevate its status as a premier horse racing destination in the region.
For Guyanese racing enthusiasts, this isn’t just about new horses, it’s a statement. It’s a testament to resilience, to the undying passion of those who refuse to let the sport fade. It’s about ensuring that Guyana, now a regional economic powerhouse, also asserts itself as a dominant force in Caribbean horse racing. With these new additions, the future of the industry looks more promising than ever.
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