Caymanas Park in St Catherine is a source of pride and joy for punters and other stakeholders in the horse-racing industry.  The establishment boasts state-of-the-art amenities and equipment and is said to be one of the best in the Caribbean.

Published Sunday, August 23, 1959

Caymanas Park: Jamaica's modern racecourse

JAMAICA'S newest and most up-to-date sports centre is Caymanas Park, the attractive horse-racing track and plant, which opened on August 22, 1959, with a gala two-day meeting.

All the amenities of a modern racing plant have been provided at Caymanas Park, which ranks among the finest of its rise in the world. Its huge stand, its wide track, its public facilities, and its scenic setting all combine to make it a showplace of its kind.

Replacing Knutsford Park as the island’s headquarters for horse racing, Caymanas Park incorporates the latest advancements in race-track construction and operation. The pride of the Caribbean, it has brought permanent mechanised betting equipment to the island and is introducing other new features for the improvement of racing.

Modern marvel

One of the principal features of the new plant is the stand. An outstanding example of modern architectural skill, the stand is 300 feet long, 90 feet deep, and 40 feet high. It consists of two units — the main grandstand and the club enclosure - making one vast, impressive building.

Covering the stand is a cantilever roof, which itself constitutes a marvel of modern engineering. The roof is one continuous slab of concrete, secured to the main structure by pre-stressed concrete beams and pillars and leaving the front of the stand clear of all columns to provide an open view of the rack and its environs.

Towering into the sky, the stand commands a panoramic view of the spreading acres of Caymanas Estates, the vast cane and banana property on which the new racing centre has been created. The panorama extends beyond the borders of the property to offer a beautiful vista of Kingston and Kingston Harbour in the distance and Blue Mountain in the background.

World’s Best

All who have visited the new 200-acre plant have agreed that it is as attractive as Knutsford Park.  Caymanas Park surpasses the old racing centre with the beauty of its scenic setting.

To match the natural attractiveness of its surroundings, Caymanas Park possesses many man-made attractions. In addition to the giant stand, the plant boasts another major feature in its modern totalisator.

Better known as the “tote”, this electronic device – the most up-to-date in the world – will bring modern betting facilities to Jamaica.

Betting booths throughout the stand will be linked electrically with a huge indicator board on the centrefold that gives all information — sales, results, and dividends— concerning the races.

Complete protection of the public is ensured by the tote system, which will automatically register all sales. The figures on the field board will not be changed continuously as is done at some plants. It will change every two minutes, during which the public will have ample time to study them.

Full view of horses

AS THE horses leave the starting gate, a bell will be rung by the judge, automatically stopping all sales.

An ideal location has been given to the Parade Ring, in which the horses will assemble before the start of each race. The ring is situated directly behind the stand, affording an excellent view of the horses from the balconies at the back of the stand.

When the race is announced, the horses will pass through a special corridor between the main stand and the club enclosure leading on to the track. They will, therefore, be at all times in full view of racegoers in the stands.

A colourful ceremony will mark the start of each race. A bugle will be blown as the horses leave the parade ring, and the horses will be led by a rider dressed in the traditional hunting costume of a scarlet coat and black cap.

The track

As for the track itself, it is one mile and one furlong, with a width of 75 feet. Like practically all American racecourses, it is a dirt track, with a racing cushion of sand and loam. Oval-shaped, it has a finishing straight of two furlongs from the last bend to the winning post. Two racing chutes complete the facilities of the track, providing for the start of some of the races. One of these chutes permits a five-furlong straight race.

Another ultra-modern device being used at Caymanas Park is the photo-finish camera. Actually, two cameras will be used in order to ensure perfection. A new projection system will enable the judge to announce the result of a photo-finish within 50 seconds of the horses passing the winning post.

There is a restaurant in the club enclosure and refreshment counters in the stand and on the grounds to cater to the requirements of the public. Bars, restrooms, and other amenities have been provided throughout the plant.

Designed by Mr Vicens Oliver, one of the island's leading architects, the stand was built by the Caribbean Construction Company. The total cost of the plant, including all the installations and the track, is well over half a million pounds.

Australian Automatic Totalisator Ltd., one of the world's leading manufacturers of this equipment, supplied the tote. The photo-finish cameras are made by the internationally famous Race Finish Recording Company of London.

Mr Harold Davidson, the retired English racehorse trainer, has been appointed supervisor of Caymanas Park. Mr George Price, formerly of American Totalisator Ltd. in Miami, is the resident engineer in charge of the totalisator equipment.

There is stabling for 200 horses at Caymanas Park. Accommodation and other facilities for trainers and grooms has also been provided.

Caymanas Park is operated by Knutsford Park Ltd., of which the Hon. Abe Issa is Chairman of the Board. Mr L. R. Mayall is Managing Director, and the other Directors are Messrs. L. V. Nunes, V. N. Aguilar, A. E; Brandon, L. P. Alberga, Richard Ashenheim, R. O. Sturdy, A. V. Hamilton; Major Douglas Vaughan and C. D. (Bobby) Alexander who are alternate Directors for Sir Brian Mountain and Mr.- Stanhope Joel, respectively.

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