Local horse racing’s regulatory body, the Jamaica Racing Commission has decided to suspend the application of Rule 44(3) which relates to the abandonment of races for the time being.
This decision came following a meeting between the Minister of Finance, Dr Nigel Clarke and over 50 stakeholders at his ministry’s headquarters on Thursday.
The meeting was called following the controversial abandonment of two races on last Saturday’s 10-race card at Caymans Park.
Under the amended rule which came into effect on April 1, no race is allowed to go off more than 5 minutes later than the published post time without the permission of the stewards.
It was agreed at Thursday’s meeting that the promoting company, Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) and industry stakeholders will make every effort to improve the punctuality of races going forward.
The JRC will also review the newly-instituted Rule 44(3) and will also develop a programme of dissuasive fines to disincentivize late starts with clear rules on the application of such fines.
The release added that over the next 30 days, the respective parties will renegotiate the deed among them that addresses the calculation of amounts allocated to purses and the distribution of such amounts.
Minister Clarke said on the signing of a renegotiated deed, he will appoint a Task Force to review the horse racing industry and make recommendations for an acceleration of its development.
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