Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

( L - R ) Edwards, Armond, Rousseau

The Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association and the heads of several other horse racing stakeholders have registered a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) and Caymanas Track Limited (CTL).

Among the disenchanted groups are the Owners, Breeders, Grooms, Farriers and Off-Track Betting associations, as well as the Jamaica Jockey Guild.

This was contained in three resolutions adopted at an emergency meeting of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association at Caymanas Park Tuesday.

The meeting was chaired by Vin Edwards, president of the Trainers' Association, who provided a detailed update on matters affecting the racing industry and inadequate response by the JRC and CTL to the concerns of the associations.

No confidence

The resolutions, passed unanimously, not only declared no confidence in the regulatory arm, the JRC, and promoting company, CTL, but a third resolution was put forward calling for the return of Chris Armond to guide the affairs of racing at Caymanas Park.

Armond was CTL vice-president of racing and promotions from 1989-1998. Since his resignation in 1998, he has served in top managerial positions in Trinidad and Barbados.

In addition, the trainers issued a five-day ultimatum to Don Wehby, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, under whose portfolio the racing industry falls, for a response. D-Day is Tuesday, December 2.

The trainers are especially disgruntled with the wide-ranging imposition of user and registration fees by the JRC (effective December 1) without any consultation with the stakeholders, who are directly affected at a time when they are unable to get an adequate purse increase.

Inadequate response

Second, the trainers are peeved about the 'inadequate response' by CTL Chairman Pat Rousseau, after he was instructed by Wehby to meet with representatives of the various associations on October 31. Rousseau met with representatives of six groups at that meeting, which was also attended by newly appointed General Manager and acting Chief Execuitive Officer of CTL, Randall Sott, an American.

But Edwards said Rousseau was less-than-sincere in his efforts to address their concerns, chief of which was a $40-million purse increase which had been rejected by the associations.

Racing personnel

In calling for Armond's return, Edwards declared that Rousseau must go. This was greeted by loud cheers from the packed Trainers' Room, numbering well over 150 trainers along with other racing personnel.

Barbara Boreland-Williams, president of the Off-Track Betting association, said OTBs provide 90 per cent of simulcast sales for CTL and 80 per cent of Caymanas sales. She explained that the OTBs have lost many English tracks and lots of income as a result.

"We have asked for an increase in commission, but this was turned down," she lamented.