HOLD YOUR HORSES!
Parsard: Racing industry running out of time
IT HAS been over a month since a racehorse crossed the finish line at Caymanas Park following the cancellation of racing on March 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the parish of St Catherine on lockdown due to the increasing numbers of coronavirus infections, it appears unlikely that things will be getting any better for the sport of kings anytime soon.
With each passing day, the racing promoters and occupational groups continue to take a hit because of the lack of track action.
For trainers and owners to keep and care for their animals, it is costing between $12 and $16 million per week and it is understood that come June, if things continue as they are, there is every chance of a complete shutdown of the track by Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited at Caymanas Park which is still operating six days per week.
FINGERS CROSSED
Prominent trainer Ian Parsard is one such horseman who is keeping his fingers crossed that the shutdown situation does not materialise. However, he is hoping that something will happen sooner rather than later with regard to the horse-racing industry.
“From a practical standpoint, the strongest of the strong could possibly hold on and keep horses in training until June, after June, if there is no reasonable restart in sight, I think folks will have to start making different decisions,” said Parsard.
Parsard who currently lies fourth in the trainers’ standings with 12 wins from 40 starts this season with stakes of close to $7 million, says more and more trainers will have to turn out their horses to the farms in a bid to cut back