Hamilton HOWARD HAMILTON has worn many hats in racing.
Currently, he is president of the Thoroughbred, Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), co-owner of Markham Betting Limited (bookmakers), as well as successful breeder (part owner of the sprawling HAM Stables Stud Farm at Bernard Lodge in St. Catherine), high profile owner and noted racing columnist with a weekly article in the Friday Gleaner.
As racing administrator, Hamilton has served in the capacity of chairman of the promoting company on two separate occasions. He was head of the now defunct Racing Promotions Limited (RPL) from 1976 to 1984 and chairman of Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) for six months in 2001.
If that wasn't enough, Hamilton is a past president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and former general manager of Shell Company W.I. Limited which used to sponsor the Shell Shield regional cricket competition with which he was closely associated in the 70s and 80s.
Now 65, Hamilton was the toast of the local racing industry last Thursday evening at the None Such/Horse of the Year Awards Dinner at the Jamaica Pegasus. His charges, A KING IS BORN and DISTINCTLY IRISH, won the coveted 'Horse of the Year' and Champion 2-Y-O awards, respectively.
He has been associated with horseracing at Caymanas Park for 42 years and despite the peaks and valleys as owner over the years, he has never lost that profound love for horseracing.
One-on-One sat with the popular racing personality at the track on Saturday as he spoke not only of his long involvement with the sport, but his likes, dislikes and vision for the future.
REVOLUTIONARY IDEAS
QUESTION: If you were still chairman of CTL, what difference do you think you could have made. Do you think you would have accomplished much with revolutionary ideas such as mixing simulcast racing with local racing on local racedays?
HOWARD HAMILTON: It would be difficult to develop the industry significantly without some major investments to bring in additional income so that horsemen would be more adequately compensated for their investment. In addition, the government has to appreciate that racing is an entertainment attraction and should therefore benefit from the incentives provided for investment in similar attractions i.e. a five-year moratorium for custom duties and General Consumption Tax (GCT) for all and also a moratorium on income tax payments.
Q: What about the role of the bookmakers in the current scheme of things, especially in light of some calls for a tote monopoly in certain quarters.
HH: The bookmakers represent an integral part of the racing industry and must be regarded as such. They represent a major source of revenue to the horsemen and I support their cause for extended opening hours and a restructuring of their tax payments.
Q: What has been your most satisfying moment in racing?
HH: Most definitely it would be A KING IS BORN winning the Derby in June of last year, with his 'Horse of the Year' crowning coming a close second.
Q: What was your most disappointing moment?
HH: When A KING IS BORN lost the Triple Crown last July, caught and beaten close home by HERECOMESFUDGIE in the St. Leger. That was a bitter pill to swallow at the time. But I have gotten over it and can look forward to another good year if DISTINCTLY IRISH (a half brother to A King Is Born) lives up to the high expectations.
Q: Despite your success with A KING IS BORN and the unbeaten 2-y-o DISTINCTLY IRISH, you claimed in a recent article that you did not achieve a surplus last year, as your expenses as owner are higher than income. Is owning horses really a losing concern to most owners?
HH: Many owners are in it merely for the love of the game. To the vast majority it is a losing enterprise. Truth is that the purse structure does not relate to the cost of keeping a horse in training. Personally speaking, I support a number of different trainers with my string of horses.
In addition to Philip Feanny, others such as Tony Kirlew, Gresford Smith, Dwight Chen and Noel Ennevor also train horses for me. A large owner like myself has to win good purses consistently in order to break even. In fact, to some owners, it is becoming more profitable to race horses in Miami.
Q: Is breeding more profitable?
HH: It can be if the breaks go your way. I personally get a satisfaction from breeding horses that win classic races. Still, the local breeding industry which was once a shining example to the rest of the world has been in the decline in recent years because we are not attracting new investments into the business. However, due to the efforts made at HAM Stables, we now have seven stallions including Royal Minister, Market Rally, Outrigger and Law Of The Sea. The success of the farm has been due to Philip Feanny and the efforts that he has put into it.
CLAIMING SYSTEM
Q: What's your position regarding the claiming system? An increasing number of punters are saying we should revert to the old handicapping system.
HH: I think the claiming system as it now stands needs to be modified to allow less condition races and more handicap races since the latter provide the most competitive racing and punters look forward to being able to beat the handicap. Claiming can co-exist with handicap races but there is a need to get rid of 4-y-o and 5-y-o maiden races and all conditions that go with races for that age group.
Q: What are your thoughts on Distinctly Irish?
HH: Very good horse. I hope he is as successful a 3-y-o as A KING IS BORN last year. I would dearly love to win another Derby and hopefully the Triple Crown this time around.
Q: How about the divestment of Caymanas Park?
HH: I am for it. This should have the effect of securing the capital needed for improvement of the facilities at the racing plant.
Q: What type of divestment would be best in our situation. Local or foreign?
HH: A combination of both.
-Orville Clarke
