Jackie Domenico, client services manager at McKay Security Limited, presents winning rider, apprentice Carlton Malcolm, with the jockey's trophy after SOY MUJER's victory in the McKay Security Trophy race at Caymanas Park, on New Year's Day. McKay Security's chief executive officer, Jason McKay (second left), brought together the respective heads of the professional groups at the track, grooms president Paul Pancho (left), trainers' association president, Vincent Edwards (third left) and owners' association president, Laurence Heffes (second right), in a theme of unity to start 2008 on a high. Winning trainer, Neville Cooper, is fourth from left and jockey club representative, Louis Phillips, is at right. - Anthony Minnott/Freelance Photographer
TUESDAY's New Year's Day race meet featured its traditional Cup events, the New Year's Day and CTL Fan Appreciation Day trophies as well as the McKay Security Trophy, which has become a staple for $170,000 claimers at the exciting distance of 1820 metres.
With the McKay Security theme for the day being peace and unity, the firm and its chief executive officer, Jason McKay, continue to play a vital role in maintaining a peaceful atmosphere at the racetrack.
The firm hosted heads of the various professional groups inside the directors' room and afterward greeted the winner of the McKay Security Trophy race in the winners' enclosure, each handing out trophies.
Interacting amicably
McKay said this concept of getting all the bodies together, on a single race day, would ensure they get to interface on amicable grounds instead of, probably, only interacting in times of dispute.
"I believe in promoting unity and this was a good way to get the various associations to come together as a day of celebration," said McKay, whose firm has been credited by trainers' association president, Vincent Edwards, as helping to foster a harmonious relationship between the previous Caymanas Track Limited board and various stakeholders on the ground. "McKay Security has been so involved at the racetrack and the community on a whole, employing people from around the area as well as assisting the grooms in every way possible, it has resulted in an unprecedented relationship with security personnel and grooms at the track.
"McKay sponsors the football competition and paid for the security passes for the grooms, I don't think we could find much better. The firm has become a part of racing."
Obligation to protect
The firm has been at Caymanas Park for 10 years, surviving four boards and was under the directive of the race track's security managers before entrusted managerial responsibility in 2000.
"We have probably had the longest tenure of any security firm at the track and the most peaceful, despite controversies such as the infamous ganja riot in 2000, which was spurred by a groom smoking in the stands," explained McKay, attributing his firm's longevity at the track to treating all with respect. "First and foremost, I believe you have to recognise the contribution of all persons involved in racing.
"You can't look at them as somebody to police but as persons who have invested their lives in an industry from which you now make a living. Our obligation is to protect them, not police, give them an understanding that rules exist for a reason."
