Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Moonlight Bandit sweeps feature race @ Ellis Thomas Downs

-as fans turned out to support first official races since COVID-19 pandemic
Moonlight Bandit had horse racing fans jumping for joy as it trotted to victory in the feature race of the Boxing Day Races, held at Ellis Thomas Downs on Sunday, December 27, 2020. Photo: VINO
Moonlight Bandit raced against One Way To Fame from Mission House Racing Stables in the third race, dubbed The Hon Julian Fraser Classic. Photo: VINO
Moonlight Bandit raced against One Way To Fame from Mission House Racing Stables in the third race, dubbed The Hon Julian Fraser Classic. Photo: VINO
As part of a donkey derby, two donkeys had fans peeling with laughter as they trotted down the track. Photo: VINO
As part of a donkey derby, two donkeys had fans peeling with laughter as they trotted down the track. Photo: VINO
The return of the races saw a moderate turn out of fans to support their favourite horses. Photo: VINO
The return of the races saw a moderate turn out of fans to support their favourite horses. Photo: VINO
Scenes of the Boxing Day Races, held at Ellis Thomas Downs on Sunday, December 27, 2020. Photo: VINO
Scenes of the Boxing Day Races, held at Ellis Thomas Downs on Sunday, December 27, 2020. Photo: VINO
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI - Moonlight Bandit had horse racing fans jumping for joy as it trotted to victory in the feature race of the Boxing Day Races, held at Ellis Thomas Downs on Sunday, December 27, 2020.

“I tell them I’m going to beat them this time,” says Dion Stevens, owner of the champion horse.

He said he believes the ongoing pandemic assisted his horse in winning.

He explained, “The horse itself is different. Through the pandemic, he got a good rest, and I am dealing with him different myself.”

Moonlight Bandit raced against One Way To Fame from Mission House Racing Stables in the third race, dubbed, The Hon. Julian Fraser Classic.

Meanwhile, in the first race, – The Bob and Letty Hodge Sprint Classic – Nadiaes Image from Top Priority Racing Stables and Uncle Mace from Mission House Racing Stables competed, with Nadiaes Image bringing home the win.

Second race scratched  

For the second race, – K & J Trucking Classic – Warrior’s Ridge from Mission House Racing Stables and Courage & Honour from Top Priority Racing Stables were set to compete. However, that race was scratched.

VI Horse Owners Association President Lesmore Smith who commented on the races said, “All in all, it was nice, I appreciate all the good fans for coming out.”

He said it is his hope that 2021 will be a better year for the sport.

“We are hoping to get more horses and get more people involved in the sporting arena and to make it more enjoyable like it used to be. But it is no control of ours; it is what is being presented as it is now, so we have to say to God be the glory,” he pointed out.

Donkey Derby

In the meantime, two donkeys had fans peeling with laughter as they trotted down the track.

“The donkey derby is something that you find in between the festive season, like in the Carrot Bay celebration. Today, we decided to have them here based on the number of horses we have as an additional attraction to make people feel free, to laugh and enjoy the moment. So it was just an added plus to what we had by having the donkeys come out and do the donkey thing,” Smith explained.

The two donkeys ran about a one and a half furlong race.

Notably, there was no set prize per race due to the impact of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic on the economy.

Instead, proceeds from the gate would be distributed among participants, Smith said in an earlier interview.

12 Responses to “Moonlight Bandit sweeps feature race @ Ellis Thomas Downs”

  • cgb (28/12/2020, 10:45) Like (22) Dislike (7) Reply
    Same thing we talking about... no mask, no social distancing.
  • super spearder (28/12/2020, 10:50) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    no mask I so happy I did not go!!!
  • WHAT!!! (28/12/2020, 11:47) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
    What the hell is wrong with these people, no masks no social distancing, crazy.
  • asking for a friend (28/12/2020, 11:50) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    So lesmore removed other horse because he ain’t get no bet smh
  • Macabee (28/12/2020, 12:13) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    So who was enforcing the COVID19 protocols?
  • Lawless society (28/12/2020, 12:47) Like (27) Dislike (5) Reply
    Environmental Health and Government overall TALK A GOOD TALK BUT DO NOT ENFORCE ANY RULES!!

    2 people in those pics wearing masks ...check for other pics on social media you would see the majority of the people DO NOT CARE ABOUT PROTECTING THEMSELVES FROM GETTING THE VIRUS AND PROTECTING OTHERS IN CASE THEY DON'T KNOW THEY THEMESELVES HAVE IT.

    People are coming into the territory and HOMES ARE NOT INSPECTED, THERE ARE OTHERS LIVING IN THE HOUSE WITH THOSE WHO ARE QUARANTINING, AND THEY CAN LEAVE AND HAVE VISITORS SINCE THERE IS NO SECURITY!

    WHEN YOU PEOPLE GOING TO STOP SITTING ON YOUR BRAINS!!!!!!!
  • Know what? (28/12/2020, 14:19) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    If I was in control of this, NO ONE WAS GETTING IN THE VENUE WITHOUT A MASK. I WOULD HAVE ALSO HAD SOME DISPOSABLE MASK TO HAND OUT AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE PEOPLE THAT DID NOT HAVE A MASK. NO MASK, NO SERVICE OR ENTRANCE. NO EXCEPTIONS.
    • Blak Alucard (29/12/2020, 10:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You could talk that these man will sell their mother for the right price. Mask not stopping the money making.
    • @ Know what? (29/12/2020, 11:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Go to the article about VG fest over the weekend ...no masks and who had was below their chin looking like some clowns and talk talk talk about no mask no entry but no-one checking during these events.

      Environmental health task force and police seeing and don't see.
      • lol (29/12/2020, 14:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        What about the event at Brandywine Bay they where also missing in action
  • Sue (28/12/2020, 14:27) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Shame on the men leaning on the fence. I will give the man on the left credit for wearing his mask the proper way. At least he don’t have to worry about breathing in or catching anything.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.