Howard Hamilton

The integrity of thoroughbred racing is paramount. Justice must not only be done but also appear to be done.

There will always be stories of horses not trying, races being 'fixed' and a number of other dishonest practices which attempt to determine the results of a race.

This a phenomenon of every racing jurisdiction and requires the unforgiving vigilance of racing authorities. Unless the wrongdoers are immediately brought to book and then punishment is a significant deterrent, then we will never inspire confidence in our industry.

I recall the days when Denis Lalor was chairman of the racing commission, we were all up in arms because of the draconian penalties which he inflicted - even horses were banned from racing for a period of time. A number of trainers, grooms, and jockeys were warned off, some for life. Horsemen operated in fear of being summoned to the commission.

The players were coming to realise that the integrity of the industry must at all times be protected. Unfortunately, within recent times, the industry seems to be slipping and the stories of wrongdoing are now much too frequent.

PROBLEM

Sometime ago there was a problem with the running of a horse called CORDITE. The commission called for a full inquiry. At the time, there were rumours that the police may be called in, so serious was the suspicions. Since then we have heard nothing, and it can be assumed that the perpetrators of any wrongdoing have gone unpunished.

At the recent New Year's Day racemeet there was another incident which was a blatant example of something being wrong.

In the fifth race, the morning line favourite, SEA CRACKERS, ridden by visiting jockey Andrew Ramgeet, was the choice of the majority of punters and started as the odds on favourite. The horse was obviously 'asleep' because he trailed the field at the start and ended up a distance last. I don't recall any stewards' inquiry being announced.

Where were the track veterianarians whose responsibility it is to see that only fit horses compete? Here is a case that needs urgent investigation. This is the sort of activity that discredits the racing industry. Nothing but a full investigation will be acceptable.

The perpetrators of this malpractice - if it is proved to be so - must be severely punished and the level of punishment must be a severe deterrent to others of like mind.

This is the time of year when we honour the champions of the previous year. We express our appreciation at the annual NON SUCH Awards function and congratulate all those who continue to make racing the noble sport that it has traditionally been.

Racing is now becoming a global activity. We have horses racing in Trinidad and Barbados. Some even have horses running in Canada and Florida. The suggestion has been made that the statistics need to reflect the earnings of horses abroad.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association have been pressing for reciprocal payment of breeders' bonuses and we implore the promoters to re-examine their position, especially as it relates to horses racing within the Caribbean.

The owners championship should have gone to the popular Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany if the earnings of MIRACLE MAN in Puerto Rico were included. This would have given him an additional J$ 3.3 million which would have put him at the head of the owners' list.

There is no more a deserving owner, especially when one remembers that he was denied the owners championship in 2003 when the promoters, unprecedentedly cancelled the running of the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup - one of the most prestigious races on our racing calendar. His horse, HERE COMES FUDGIE, would have been a cinch to win that race.

This suggestion will probably be thrown out but I make it nonetheless. Certainly, the question of reciprocal breeders bonuses needs to be reconsidered.

New progress

In an article published in the Track and Pools of December 30, 2006, Jimmie takes the breeding industry to task. His article 'Feel-Good Factor' suggests that MIRACLE MAN is a freak and does not, in any way, represent new progress in the breeding industry.

We do not share his view. All Jimmie has to do is visit the breeding farms and see the quality of foals currently being produced. We now have excellent bloodlines both in stallions standing and broodmares. It is true that we no longer import blood stock from England but quarantine restrictions and freight cost prohibit this. The breeding industry is vibrant and once again producing top-class competitive horses. The racing scene in 2007 will be a true testament to that.

Howard L. Hamilton, C.D, J.P is a former chairman of Cay-manas Track Limited. He is the current president of Thorough-bred Owners and Breeder's Association. He can be contacted at howham@cwjamaica.com.