Recognising that a breeding industry is the future for horse racing’s smooth continuance in Guyana, promoters of the sport have embarked on a development programme to establish a breeding programme that will provide the future stars.
They have started an ambitious programme with the purchase of 21 horses from the recently-concluded Mixed Winter Sale held at Ocala, Florida, USA, while an additional four horses were bought from Trinidad. This vision of the industry’s promoters was born out of the need to sustain a constant supply of stock in trade. These horses are scheduled to be shipped to Guyana next month.
Horse owners will embark on a breeding programme in Guyana
The promoters’ spokesperson advised, “History is a great teacher, and we have to respect and learn from it. Trinidad is the main supplier of horses to Guyana; they are now experiencing a ‘frightening’ decline in their breeding industry and their horse racing population. We are on the same pathway as Trinidad in terms of enjoying an oil boom. Trinidad, a twin-island state with Tobago, once showcased the most competitive races staged at their four race tracks. Inter-island horse racing rivalry with Barbados, Jamaica, and Guyana, for several decades, piqued the interest of the country and horsemen. That is only a memory now. The oil-rich Trinidad was seen as the USA of the Caribbean at that time. Now, Guyana is seen as the Caribbean Dubai because of our oil revenue. So, we have to prepare a proper foundation to sustain our racing industry, and this could only be done with proper studies, planning foresight. “
He revealed, “This programme will create new opportunities for breeders. As Guyana is the fastest-developing country in the world right now, the horse racing is growing. And the Government has recognised this, and the Act to govern the sport will be tabled in Parliament shortly for the sport to be regulated. We have to prepare for change in the sport. Hence, the reason why we need a breeding industry to facilitate the demand for horses. We believe that we are now on the right track, and we have to get everyone aboard.”
Last year, more than 30 horses, comprising mares and broodmares in utero (in foal), were bought from Trinidad by Fazal Habibulla to kick off the breeding industry.
