Howard Hamilton

All Jamaica must be proud of the historic achievement of the Jamaican bred, Jamaican trained, Jamaican groomed and Jamaican owned MIRACLE MAN in the Classico Caribbean race meet in Puerto Rico last Saturday.

The only pity was that this fantastic racing machine was not ridden by a Jamaican jockey. All praise to the connections - you have demonstrated the tremendous potential that exists in our racing industry. We only wish that this potential could be recognised by the advisors and decision-makers of this most misunderstood industry.

All credit to the Racing Commission and the promoters, Caymanas Track Ltd. for making it possible for MIRACLE MAN to participate in this prestigious race meet. When we consider that he beat the winner of the three-year-old Classic of 2005 then we must all regret that MIRACLE MAN was not able to run in this Classic last year.

Our breeding industry and particularly, Ham Stables who raised this animal through its foal, weanling and yearling stages must now feel excited at what can be achieved if we persevere. No matter how unappreciated our need for recognition and assistance may be, we have not given up hope.

We have now created interest in the wider Caribbean and Latin American racing markets. We must not allow that momentum to be lost.

Racing in South Africa

I am still travelling and had the opportunity of attending the race meet at Kenilworth race track in Cape Town last Saturday. The racing industry in South Africa has grown dramatically in the last five years. A lot of this growth is due to the expanded market made possible through co-mingling of their pari mutuel, both internally and globally.

A national racing authority took over the functions of the jockey club in 1994, and operate with much the same mandate as our racing commission. The authority is funded entirely by the racing industry. The various turf clubs who owned and operated the race tracks amalgamated their interests some time ago and now two companies run races.

Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Ltd. own and operate seven race tracks in Free State, Northern Cape and Gauteng. They are a publicly-owned company whose share-holders expect dividends on their investments.

This 'for profit' structure has created a perception that the interest of owners and horsemen in general, is less important than that of the shareholders.

"Phumelela's gain is the owners' pain and the Racing Authority's shame" was the caption of a recent article in the Sporting Post, their racing newspaper. The article went on to explain that: "the programme at a recent meet at Turfontein (one of the tracks operated by Phumelela) was a shambles, with the allocation of races and resources so skewed as to be an insult to the owners of our horse population."

The article complains that the programmes offered were an insult to owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms, and they were all suffering because of Phumelela's policy decisions. Any similarities to the Jamaican situation?

The other company, Gold Circle (Pty) Ltd., owns and operates five race tracks in Western Cape and Kwazulu-Natal. This is a privately owned company operating as a 'not-for-profit' organisation with all their surpluses going to increased purses and improvement to the racing plants.

My wife and I were the guests of the vice president of Gold Circle at the Kenilworth meet, and were royally entertained.

Not-for-profit structure

He was proud of the 'not-for-profit' structure of his organisation and advised that in one year, purses were increased on three occasions when a review of their operations indicated that there would be a surplus at the end of the year.

This race meet featured the running of the Selangor Cup, a race for 3 y-o over 1600m (eight fur.) with a purse of R200,000 (approximately J$1.4 million) This race is an annual feature brought about by a reciprocal agreement between the Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the Western Province Racing Club which is now part of the Gold Circle group.

A reciprocal race, the Kenilworth Cup is run at Selingor Turf Club each year. The winner receives a handsome trophy and there is an exchange of gifts. The chairman of the Selingor turf Club and his family were present for this prestigious event.

This is an innovation which I would strongly recommend to Caymanas Track Ltd. Twinning with the Arima Turf Club in Trinidad would be a start as we seek greater cooperation with overseas racing interests.

I am now on my way back home, but could not resist the temptation to stop once again in Paris for a few days. This city is full of culture and romance. A walk on the banks of the Seine brings back memories of the song made famous by the husky voice singer of the 1960s - Eartha Kitt:

"How would you like to be

Down by the Seine with me

Oh what I'd give for a moment or two

Under the bridges of Paris with you.

And when you hold me tight ..."

But no matter what the attractions may be, there comes a time when "mid all the treasures and palaces, there's no place like home."

P. S.:

Horsemen are reminded of the sale of broodmares, weanlings, stallions and horses in training to be held at Ham Stables this Sunday, starting at 10.00 a.m.