Howard Hamilton

Not long ago, I had occasion to take a wonderful journey of discovery back in time to study the history of horse racing in Jamaica, so as to place in context the current state of the industry.

I discovered that racing has had a long and storied past as the sport of kings, from the very earliest period after the English colonised the island and had brought world recognition to some involved with it here. Indeed, an early record in the English Stud book showed that in 1777 at mare called Temperance raced in Jamaica, pointing to the existence of the sport and that there was importation of blood stock to keep up the supply.

Racing records from 1816 show that those involved in the sport maintained a regular racing calendar with several meets per year and a tally of winners and the amount won by each horse. In that year there were 24 races run with a total of 2,024 16s in stakes; Kingston race meet was held from Monday to Saturday, with twelve purses, two run per day.

In 1817, 21 races were run for a total amount of stakes being 1,566 12s; in 1818, there were 27 races - stakes 2,272 16s; 1819 28 races, with a net value of stakes 2,258 4s.

From 1824 to 1840 there were race meets throughout the island with friendly rivalry between parishes in the novelty of purses and the stakes.

World renown

Apart from racing, breeding of horses also flourished during these times and a stud farm at Pepper in St. Elizabeth was world renown. How many of us recall that the stud farm at Pepper was at one time the largest in the world standing 7 stallions with over 100 broodmares? At this farm, they produced many English classic winners.

The growth of racing was quite evident by 1840 with numerous meetings in Trelawny, St James, Old Harbour, Bath, Westmoreland, Manchester, Clarendon, St Elizabeth, St Mary, St Ann, Spanish Town and Kingston.

Over a decade later, there began a fall in the number of races, due to economic depression between 1851 and 1860. The slide continued during these years, with races held in fits and starts, until only Kingston, Manchester and St. Elizabeth faithfully kept their annual race meets. The breeding of thoroughbreds and importation of stallions continued however.

Improvements

Racing was again at low ebb in 1883, but during this time there were improvements to the Kingston Race Course.

Over the years, and into another century, the fortunes of the racing industry have ebbed and flowed. Inevitably change has come, to mirror the changes in the society and from those ancient days, have given rise to new classes of owners, breeders and turf owners and administrators.

"And so the varying years roll on, one sportsman passes over to the great majority to be succeeded by another, yearling follows yearling, the tide of luck and fashion in thoroughbreds ebbs and flows through many along year, still with all its faults and failings, the Arab will weary of his mare, and the Kaffir of his lance, before an Englishman in whatever clime his lot be cast, becomes quite indifferent to the Sport of Kings."

Pride

"The sport which Grafton loves Which Spencer, Portland Alber-marle approves Which Kings have fostered and a country's pride Protest who may, will never cast aside."

I have recounted these bits from racing's past, to illustrate its long and rich history in this country. Racing today is as much a product of this ancient past, as it is of the social, political and economic changes that have shaped Jamaica over the last 50 years.

Howard L. Hamilton, CD, JP is a former chairman of Caymanas Track Limited and is the current President of Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. He can be contacted at howham@cwjamaica.com.