Howard Hamilton

I have encountered more and more people recently who loose themselves in nostalgic reflection on the days before independence. After 40 years, when two full generations have been born and grown knowing no other state of existence, it is a peculiar phenomenon.

However, I recognise that it has its roots in a creeping disillusionment that has overtaken many of us, who can recall days when things were better in certain areas of our national life.

This being a sports column, I will disregard areas like agriculture, crime, discipline, social order and the like and look at the horseracing industry as a case in point.

This sport is not a recent infatuation of the Jamaican people. In fact, Jamaica's involvement with horse racing and breeding is a centuries-old love affair, the earliest traced record of which dates back to 1777 when, according to the English Stud Book of that year, a horse named Temperance is recorded as having raced well in Jamaica.

In the early 19th century racing took place regularly and frequently in every parish with Kingston having racing regularly between Monday and Saturday.

Many notable breeders and trainers established reputations for themselves that reached beyond our island's shores and by the middle of the century two gentlemen, Messrs. Dickenson and Harmon had established at Pepper the largest breeding stud farm in the world, keeping an average of 100 thoroughbred mares and seven English sires.

Other reputable breeding establishments thrived at Agualta Vale, Friendship, Cardiff Hall, Harmony Hill and Montpelier.

Jamaica produced international equine stars that distinguished themselves at Epsom Downs and other tracks abroad.

Knutsford Park

Many of us can still recall knowing places in our home towns and parishes that were simply referred to as "Race Course". By the middle of the 20th century, however, the reason for them being so named was no longer obvious, as horse racing had moved to a central venue at Knutsford Park in St. Andrew. In 1966 the Jamaica Turf Club, which had been formed in 1934 merged with Knutsford Park Ltd. and other interested parties and established Caymanas Park Ltd.

Many of Jamaica's "big names" were associated with these developments: Names like D.H. Judah, L.J. Armond, R.G. Ashenheim, V.O. Blake, A.E. Brandon, A.E. Issa and others. Thus it is that today, Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston commemorates the great days of racing that were once experienced on that site.

Now, given the huge success that Caymanas Park has been as a venue for racing in Jamaica, it may seem unreasonable of me to say that it stands as a mere hint of what could be.

Attitudes and values

We will never return to those golden years but, as a people, we must insist on those attitudes and values essential to a civil society.

A clean environment encourages cleanliness, respect for others earns there respect for you.

We need to re-establish those loyalties that instinctively made us stand when the national anthem is being played. We must be fearless in our insistence on the simple courtesies. Justice and the respect for the rules of law and order must be unhesitatingly accepted. I can never accept that today's indiscipline is due to a "changing society".

The racing industry reflects these changes, and racing interests must be at the vanguard of the restoration of civility to our noble sport. We will have to start with the facilities. These must reflect the new order that we wish to encourage. I will never accept mediocrity as our norm. People are critical of my attempts to introduce the successes of others to our local situation. One thing is sure, what we have degenerated to is totally unacceptable.

The solutions are simple. It cannot be business as usual. Changing a board is not the answer. There must be a genuine desire based on a clear vision to make Thoroughbred racing the centrepiece of an entertainment complex. The tourism industry is crying out for such an attraction.

This development must be driven by the private sector with the Government facilitating with tax incentives as is the norm in the tourism sector.

Government has no right owning and operating a race track. Privatise the operation and strengthen the regulatory agents so that they are better able to provide more meaningful service to the industry.

We need action, and we need it now!

Howard L. Hamilton, C.D.. J.P. 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.