The Rising Sun Turf Club is an integral part of Guyana’s horse-racing activities
A bush fire that erupted at Plantation Rising Sun on the West Coast of Berbice (Region 5) on Monday night has fuelled fear and serious safety concerns among members of the Rising Sun community, and the horse racing fraternity has thus been affected.
Shortly after 6pm (18h) on Monday, October 2, a grassy area where a new car park has been developed aback the race track suddenly erupted in fire. A video of this fire went viral on social media, but the exact location of the fire could not be identified from the video. Speculation became rife that the Grandstand of the 49-year-old Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC) was on fire, while others believed that the paddock area where the horses are stabled was on fire.
This development has raised concerns about the welfare and safety of the 20-plus horses stabled in the paddock area, which is closer to the main road.
Fazal Habibulla, who inherited the racetrack from his dad Sonny Habibula, who died one year ago, was asked how the fire started. He said: “The turf club wasn’t threatened. The fire was about 300 yards from the fence to the race track’s grandstand. It could have been the heat from the weather, or somebody lit the fire. It could have caused damage to homes in the area, but not the race track. Kalpoo’s place was in most danger, it was at the back of his place.”
Habibulla, also known as “Uncle Fazal” and “the Major” in the horse racing fraternity and in the Rising Sun district, was asked how the fire was brought under control. He declared, “The Fire Service came and extinguished the fire. I am thankful that no one was hurt or their home was destroyed. I thank all those who shared their concerns about the danger the fire posed to the race track. This race track is really the people of Guyana race track, and it was heartening to hear everyone sharing their concern on the night of the fire. It was overwhelming. Fortunately, the race track wasn’t in any danger, and we were happy for that result. Good work by the fire tender brought the fire under control.”
Uncle Fazal, in a fiery retort, had this to say: “The only time this track will be on fire is when Ariana’s Vision beat them big horses that come down recently!”
Asked when that fiery showdown would take place, and when is the next race day at RSTC, Fazal responded, “We wanted to have on 5th November, but that date is car racing. Then we spoke of the 12th November, and that is Divali. We are now looking at the 19th or 26th November, 2023.
“Ariana’s Vision will not be ready for that date. We are putting together a Guyana-bred race for all horses born in Guyana. The purse in this race will be a record. Owners of Guyana-bred horse who have been complaining of the purses for those horses will be silenced when they see the purse for that race. It could be a Guyana Cup Day for Guyana-bred horses. Remember, this is a fact; not fake news,” Fazal added.
