Joe Hadeed (right), chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority, stands next to Jamaica Racing Commission chairman Rudolph Muir at the annual pre-Derby Hall of Fame awards dinner at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston on Thursday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Joe Hadeed, chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority (TTRA), said Jamaica and Trinidad both have a lot in common and the two can learn from each other.

Delivering the keynote address at the annual Pre-Derby/Hall of Fame awards dinner hosted by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel last Thursday night, the four-time champion trainer of the twin-island republic said he felt as proud as a Jamaican when Miracle Man won the Confraternity Classic in Puerto Rico last December.

He is hoping that one day his country can produce a horse to compete at that level, and was quick to add that Jamaica is in the best position to supply his country with bloodstock.

Hadeed, who advocated inter-island rivalry in races like the Red Stripe Superstakes, Caribbean Sprint and WITRA Classic, as was the case in both the Superstakes and Sprint in years gone by, said he has always been a supporter of Caribbean racing. Despite this he had some misgivings.

"I support a West Indian Throroughbred Racing Association (WITRA) race, but I think the race should be confined to four-year-olds instead of three-year-olds," he contended.

He said Trinidad, Jamaica and Barbados should make every effort to co-mingle and televise our racing.

State of racing in T& T

Speaking on the state of racing in Trinidad and Tobago, Hadeed disclosed that a new non-profit company has just been formed in Trinidad to take over the management of racing as "we feel it should no longer be promoted by a private club".

Noting that Trinidad and Tobago have approximately 400 horses and only 40 racedays per year, Hadeed said this pales into insignificance compared to Santa Domingo which also have the same number of horses yet stage racing three days per week.

"We must be doing something wrong," he quipped.

On the positive side, the former four-time champion trainer pointed out that horsemen in Trinidad and Tobago have received various subsidies from the government in an effort to improve racing.

These include a 10-year moratorium on taxes to develop the sport under the Betting Levy Board, 15 per cent breeders premium, TT$1,500 subsidy for every foal registered, as well as an increased subsidy of TT$15,000 each to owners having purchased horses from Jamaica.

In a witty, yet enlightening speech, Hadeed pointed out that integrity in racing is most important. He said the use of medication has been a controversial topic and called for zero tolerance.

He contended that "the jury is still out on the effects of Lasix to my mind, but trainers are happy with it".

Hadeed disclosed that in 2005 there were only two cases of positives in Trinidad and Tobago, three in 2006 and none so far this year.

A jockeys' championship

Continuing, Hadeed said the micro-chipping of horses will soon be implemented in T&T and revealed that they are in the process of building a racing academy. He proposed a jockeys' championship each year involving riders from all countries in the Confed.

In closing Hadeed, who jokingly urged fellow trainers never to criticise the handicapper until after the race, recalled that one of the finest moments of his career was the year he was inducted to the T&T National Sports Hall of Fame along with the late trainer, Eric 'Colt' Durant.

Also speaking was JRC chairman, Rudolph Muir, who listed the achievements of the past year. These include Miracle Man's memorable victory in Puerto Rico, the dedication of the new 'Hall of Fame' building on the grounds of the JRC, Winchester Road in March of this year, the impact of the apprentice riders who graduated from the Jockeys' School last July, and the passing out of 25 new trainers later this month following a nine-month course conducted by the JRC.

Muir, who disclosed that the JRC has also commissioned a book tracing the history of horseracing in Jamaica, said in closing: "We dare not rest on our laurels. There is still so much to do and so little time."

State Minister of Finance, Fitz Jackson, brought greetings on behalf of the government in his brief address. He said all the accomplishments were one on behalf of the government and revealed that effective July 1, a new Levy Scheme structure to ensure that racing is better funded will be in place.

- Orville Clarke