They are at the post and they’re off! If the ruling party has its way, this will become a familiar line on December 13—National Day—when international horse racing debuts here. However, not everyone in Saint Lucia sees horse racing as the thriving industry that investors and government make it out to be. Some, including the Opposition SLP, feel more attention should be placed on national concerns and needs like healthcare and, in particular, the completion of St Jude Hospital.
Nevertheless, the race track took precedence on Wednesday. Details of what has been dubbed the CECF Race Day were announced during a press conference in Vieux Fort,on the site of the horse racing track that the prime minister referred to as a “star attraction”.
MC Russell Lake opened the proceedings by greeting everyone and introducing the VIPs in attendance, including Prime Minister Allen Chastanet; Chairman of DSH Caribbean Star Ltd, Teo Ah Khing, and other officials associated with the project. The CEFC Race Day signals the official launch of the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club, ahead of the club’s first season of racing in 2020. The CECF Race Day is the first stage of the Pearl of the Caribbean, which Vice President of DSH Caribbean Star Ltd, Mr Harrington, referred to as “a nation building project”.
Before this National Day horse racing extravaganza takes place, Saint Lucians will have the opportunity to see for themselves why this horse racing track, when completed, is destined to become one of the best in the Caribbean and, more importantly, why it will generate worldwide interest in a sport that is relatively new to this country. Open Days will be held at the race course on Sundays November 3, 10, 17 and 24 when the public will have the opportunity to view the facilities.
Earlier in the week, at the expense of the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club, forty thoroughbreds trained in the United States were transported to Saint Lucia; They will be available for sale to an individual, group or syndicate (up to thirty owners). On Wednesday it was announced that horses purchased from the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club will be given precedence to compete in 2019 CECF Saint Lucia in races valued at between US$20,000 and US$40,000.
There will be five races on National Day, supported by local entertainment. The feature event will be the US$150,000 Pitons Cup, considered the richest purse in the Caribbean this year. Already it has attracted the likes of Hall of Fame USA trainer Todd Pletcher; champion Jamaican trainer Anthony Nunes; from Trinidad and Tobago, highly acclaimed owners Mervyn Samlalsingh and Wilfred Acham; and from Australia, leading trainers Michael and Richard Freedman.
