News
Ellis Thomas Downs gets partial cleanup; Still no decision on August races
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- The only horse race track in the Territory, Ellis Thomas Downs located in Sea Cows Bay on the main island of Tortola, has gotten a partial cleanup.
Racetrack land lease still unresolved; No horse races for 70th anniversary celebration
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- The last race day at Ellis Thomas Downs was August Tuesday of 2022. Since then Ellis Thomas Downs has laid barren. Many horse owners have either had to let their horses out of the stables to pasture, send them to other Caribbean Islands, or find creative ways to keep feeding them.
Willock calls for new negotiations regarding Ellis Thomas Downs stalemate
FAT HOGS BAY, Tortola, VI- A staple of the Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival activities is horse racing; however, it was missing from this year’s calendar of activities due to a breakdown in negotiations with landowners at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay last year.
UPDATE: Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton sworn in
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Opposition Leader and Chairman of Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) has been sworn in.
‘The rug was pulled from under us’- Hon Ronnie W. Skelton
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Opposition Members across the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), National Democratic Party (NDP) and Progressives United (PU) have claimed they were blindsided by Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) who defected from the NDP and formed a Government with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) on April 25, 2023.
First day after elections still no government; Negotiations are hard!
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Word from the political class is no government has yet been formed, after the general elections of April 24, 2023, resulted in no clear mandate as to who should lead the Territory of the Virgin Islands.
‘We are not paying American Airlines to come to BVI’- Hon Kye M. Rymer
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has noted that American Airlines (AA) is returning to the Virgin Islands (VI) at no additional expense to VI taxpayers.
Thomas’ family member allegedly threatened over Ellis Thomas Downs ban
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- President of the VI Horse Owners Association Mr Lesmore Smith has condemned an alleged threat made against a member of the Thomas’ family currently in negotiation with government over the use of land at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola.
Grandstand repairs affected by Ellis Thomas Downs lease re-negotiations
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- The re-negotiation of a lease agreement for Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay may be one of the reasons for the delay in the repairs of the grandstand that was severely damaged during the infamous 2017 hurricanes.
Toad Hall could be Gov't-owned by October – Hon Wheatley
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- Toad Hall, located on Virgin Gorda, could be government-owned by October this year, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said.