Leadership of racing's stakeholders a pack of wimps

The Minister sang and they all danced. The lead choreographer was the president of the owners association. He kept pleading: "We must meet more often, we must meet more often!"

To serve what purpose, I thought.

The stakeholders of the racing industry have been meeting on a regular basis to discuss the problems affecting the sport/industry. The viability of the promoting company has been at the forefront of these discussions. There were some immediate solutions identified which could improve the viability of the promoting company and their ability to satisfy the increasing costs of those who are dependent on the industry for an income. We estimate that there are over 20,000 people directly involved in the industry with another 100,000-plus who indirectly obtain some benefits from the industry.

The stakeholders identified a number of issues which needed immediate attention and which could improve the ability of the promoting company to make a meaningful contribution to the cost of the professionals who make racing possible.

These were:

1) An immediate resolution of the impasse with the bookmakers. This has been a vexing issue for many years and has come once again to the Government for a resolution that would satisfy the demands of the promoting company. The stakehol-ders felt that anything less than a tote monopoly would not be in their best interest.

2) The introduction of Sunday racing with full involvement of the off-track stations that represent 80 per cent of the promoter's turnover.

These concerns and others were communicated to the minister of finance, who has portfolio responsibility for the industry. None of the responses satisfied the demands of the stakeholders, and at a meeting held on June 14 the unanimous decision was taken to express our concern by refusing to nominate horses until such time that there could be some meaningful dialogue that would satisfy our demands.

For the first time we saw a level of unity which gave us hope that at last we could make a positive statement on our concerns in the industry. The unanimous decision not to nominate horses met with opposition from the promoters and the Government. This was expected and our resolve was to stand firm until our demands were met.

loss of revenue

As expected, the stakeholders were called to a meeting by the minister of finance, who was concerned about the loss of revenue if no races were held. He expressed an understanding of our position but asked for patience in the resolution of the bookmakers impasse since the report of his mediatory commission would be with him on Thursday, June 22, and he would be inviting us at that time to discuss with him the contents of that report in an effort to arrive at a decision that would satisfy our demands. He was sympathetic to our demands for Sunday racing and asked that we assist in a lobby to have this properly introduced.

It was a good meeting and all the stakeholders' representatives met after to deliberate our next step. I took the position that the dialogue requested months ago only became possible because we have united and taken meaningful action. Our protest should be maintained to show that we are united and will stand firm to ensure the best for the participants of the industry.

I was shocked to observe that the stakeholders representatives present voted to nominate horses for Saturday's meet without any reference to their constituents who had given them a clear mandate at the meeting on Tuesday, June 14. I am concerned that the action taken was contrary to the mandate of the Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association. The owners need to ensure that they have proper and informed leadership.

I had become all excited again about making a meaningful contribution to racing, but the behaviour of these participants leaves me convinced that my decision to exit some time ago was not without good reason. I will again ride off into the sunset, and may I wish success to those who I have left behind.

Howard L. Hamilton CD, JP, is a former chairman of Caymanas Track Limited. He is the current president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association. He can be contacted at: howham@cwjamaica.com