Former Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Lee Clarke, says it is important that all the stakeholders in the horseracing industry put aside their differences and start working together for the survival of the industry.

Clarke’s comments come following the cancellation of today’s live horseracing programme at Caymanas Park in St Catherine.

The races were cancelled after several stakeholder groups withdrew their services to protest the Government’s decision to meet with disgruntled members of the bookmakers association, while repeatedly ignoring their concerns.

However, Clarke, who is also a racehorse owner and trainer, says there is a need for urgency in dealing with the problems facing the industry.

He says the question of divesting the facility should be among the issues examined going forward.

With more than 20,000 persons employed in the industry, the former mayor says allowing the problems to continue any longer, will lead to more problems, more closures and the destruction of the industry.

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