Changes will be implemented by three of the country’s promoters starting from next race day – Sunday April 30 at the Bush Lot race course in West Berbice.
These changes come on the heels of an emergency meeting sanctioned very early on Tuesday morning at Port Mourant Turf Club in Berbice. It was called by four of the country’s major promoters of local horse racing. It was centred around the misleading information circulating on social media, and a letter published in Kaieteur News carrying an inaccurate account of Sunday’s incident.
Therbhuwan ‘Turbo’ Jagdeo
In attendance were Fazal Habibulla (Rising Sun Turf Club), Nasrudeen ‘Junior’ Mohamed (Bush Lot Turf Club), Therbhuwan ‘Turbo’ Jagdeo (Port Mourant Turf Club) and Dennis Deroop (formerly of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club).
Spokesperson for the group, ‘Junior’, declared: “This incident has brought us closer together. This meeting was purposely held at Port Mourant to support our brother ‘Turbo’. It’s unfortunate. All sports will encounter challenges. We went there to deal with it, and good has come out of this meeting. We will release the changes this week.”
Dennis Deroop
Reached for his comments on Sunday’s incident, Jagdeo remarked, “I will like anyone and everyone who are speaking out against…to come and inspect the track. I was moved by my fellow promoters’ action this morning. So far, I contacted the owners of the three horses that fell – Tiny, Miss Universe, and Plus Return – and injured young rider Vishal Ramnarian. I conveyed my feelings of their loss is like my loss, as I know how it feels to lose a horse.”
Asked if any assistance would be given to the owners and the rider, Jagdeo responded, “I promised the owners of Tiny to get another horse for them at no cost. Jockey Ramnarian will be assisted financially to help with his medical cost and living expenses. Javed Ali, on the other hand, offered to assist.”
Fazal Habibulla
Asked about yesterday’s emergency meeting, Jagdeo related, “All of us were concerned about what happened, and the need to address it immediately, hence the reason for the meeting. We debated what changes will be implemented, and will reveal the plans during the course of this week. My fellow brother promoters were there for me this morning, and pledged support moving forward. I am thankful for their moral support. They showered their love for the sport.”
Sharing exclusive information on the meeting, Jagdeo said,
“Glen Mohammed, Steward on the day of the incident, revealed, ‘I immediately went into the Jockeys Room and asked the riders if the track was the reason for the incident. Everyone chorused “No, it’s safe, there is a little soft spot after the finish line, and then deemed the incident as unfortunate.”
Jagdeo said at the meeting Mohammed recalled, “In 2019, at Santa Anita race track Acadia, California, USA, a record number of horses died on the track. The track was then deemed the ‘Death Track.’
Jagdeo continued, “Mohammed quoted Santa Anita officials have said they’ve made major improvements in horse safety after 2019 – when 42 horses died at the track, sparking widespread debate about safety issues at Santa Anita and about horse-racing in general. The uproar led to procedural and veterinary oversight changes at the park.”
In closing, Jagdeo stated, “I am no expert on track. I have been exercising horses at Port Mourant race track several years now, and close to 30 horses exercise on a daily basis on the track. We never had a horse that went down. We have some work ahead of us, and our plans will be explained is another story.”
