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“Horse of the Year” among honours for Inter-VI Horse racing in 2013

Horses from the greater Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix and Tortola) will be vying to be the top horse of the year when the Honouring Ceremony will be introduced in 2013 where awards will be given out for Horse of the Year, Jockey of the Year, Trainer of the Year and Horseman of the Year. File Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO
The St. Thomas Carnival Races are the next big event in VI Horseracing set for April 27 at the Clinton E. Phipps Race Track in St. Thomas.
The St. Thomas Carnival Races are the next big event in VI Horseracing set for April 27 at the Clinton E. Phipps Race Track in St. Thomas.
Lesmore Smith, President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners' Association.
Lesmore Smith, President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners' Association.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Plans for the introduction of an honouring ceremony by the Inter-Virgin Islands horseracing associations will become a reality in 2013 when awards will be handed out to the top horse, jockey, horse trainer and horse man for the year.

This was disclosed at a joint association meeting between the St. Thomas Horse Owners' Association and the Virgin Islands Owners’ Association held last weekend in St. Thomas where St. Croix was absent from the meeting.

In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online, President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners’ Association, Lesmore Smith disclosed the plans for the honouring ceremony which will be held annually and is to start next year in St. Thomas.

“This ceremony will be introduced to the three islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix and Tortola) for the first time coming next year,” Mr. Smith disclosed.

He said the honouring ceremony will pay admiration to a ‘Jockey of the Year’, a ‘Trainer of the Year’, a ‘Horse of the Year’ and a ‘Horseman of the Year’.

In addition, he stated that two local media houses from each territory that covered the races on a regular basis will be honoured.

“The committee responsible for choosing the honoraries for the ceremony will comprise of two representatives from the Tortola horse association, the St. Thomas horse association and the St. Croix horse association.

The judging committee will be chosen and announced before the beginning of next month. The ceremony will be held in St. Thomas next year, Tortola the following year, St. Croix in the year 2015 and so on,” Mr. Smith explained.

Exciting races to come in 2012

Meanwhile, Mr. Smith disclosed that the Mare and Fillie Races “similar to Triple Crown 3 legs race” will be held on August 21, 2012 in St. Thomas.

“After the Mare and Fillie races, VI Horse Association will be hosting an Invitational Sprint Classic Race at Ellis Thomas Down, Sea Cows Bay,” he added.

The St. Thomas Carnival Races is set for April 27 in St. Thomas, with Good Prospecting competing to defend his title and claim his share of $25,000.

“We are continuing the work of the Association in the VI, doing the best to enhance the sport. I want to encourage all the fans to come on out and support the races,” Smith said.

Horse owners welcome honouring ceremony

In an interview with Virgin Islands News Online, Rodney Simmonds of The Boys Stable and Violet "Letty" Hodge of L and B Stables, both had the same sentiments in relation to the introduction of the honouring ceremony.

Mr. Simmonds said that the introduction of the honouring ceremony is not only a good idea but a great idea. “It will make people more interested in the sports”.

“I think I have a good chance if I win the races in St. Thomas next week, (The Governor’s Cup and the 6 furlong sprint race). Winning big races and being consistent will give me a chance to be nominated and honoured.”

Ms. Hodge said, “It is a good idea, so many people have been around and involved with the sport, with so many not recognized, you have to give the credit where it is due”.

8 Responses to ““Horse of the Year” among honours for Inter-VI Horse racing in 2013 ”

  • good to great (18/04/2012, 09:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ok Johnny no jokes...very good ideas...
  • native boy (18/04/2012, 09:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    But how dem say lesmore aint doing nothing and tings gone down since dey other committee stop???
  • mary j (18/04/2012, 17:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    congrats to the committees from tola and rock city i love the ideas
  • HELP HELP HELP (19/04/2012, 06:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lesmore trying ah ting he needs the help of thoes Christopher sisters
  • big sister (19/04/2012, 17:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    vino you should be honored we love your sports and horse race coverage..infact you are the only online that cover sports...big ups
  • horseracegame (20/04/2012, 05:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good article about horse racing awards and the plans on better races next year. On a related note, I recently came across this game called Horse Racing Fantasy which is a simulation game based on horse racing and has excellent 3D graphics and gameplay. It is available at www.horseracegame.com and has several playing modes and online multiplayer tournaments where you can test your skills against other players around the world.


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