Really Uptown praised for generating VI pride
The astonishing feat and the pride generated among Virgin Islanders and others dwelling in the Territory were celebrated yesterday, March 19, 2013 by Government, who hosted a special presentation to honour Really Uptown’s co-owner, Mrs. Violet “Letty” Hodge of L&B Stables.
Really Uptown won the first leg in Tortola on January 13, the second leg in St. Croix on February 17 and completed the hat-trick of convincing wins on March 17 in St. Thomas- becoming the first horse to win all three legs of the VI Triple Crown Challenge. In fact, no other horse has even won two legs since the introduction of the VI Triple Crown Challenge two years ago.
The presentation took place in the Breezeway of the Central Administration Complex where Mrs Hodge was presented with a lovely plaque, a large bouquet of flowers and showers of gratitude.
Not surprising, the name of the legendary horse that first brought much pride to the Virgin Islands, Actspectation, was called over and over again.
Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith said the feat by Really Uptown has brought much pride to the Virgin Islands and should be celebrated by all in the Territory. “It is excellent news that this Territory is once again demonstrating to the region and to the rest of the world that we continue to excel in various arenas and in this case, horse racing.”
Dr Smith added that the sport of horse racing is part of the Territory’s cultural traditions and the Triple Crown is a continuance of the legacy of the sport. He assured that Government is committed to the promotion of Virgin Islands cultural traditions like horse racing and also sports tourism.
The Premier congratulated The L&B Stables team especially Mrs Hodge and said “You are clearly doing something right at the L&B Stables.” He also reflected on the past dominance of Actspectation, who is also a product of L&B Stables.
Acting Assistant Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr Paul Hewlett said he has been following horse racing from since the days of Actspectation and that he saw most of his races. “I always felt that it was somewhat of a shame that it was not Actspectation that had gotten the praises today,” but noted that Really Uptown has won for Actspectation as well.
“When we began following this horse over a year ago no one would have anticipated what happens next,” since he said the horse was always regarding as having potential but it was not really seen until when he “tore Slevin apart” in St Croix. “And from then the rest is history.”
“I have to say one of the proudest moments of being a Virgin Islander was standing up in St. Thomas on the 17th of March and looking around in a foreign land and seeing so many Virgin Islands flags flying, it was spectacular.”
Mr Hewlett also said Mrs Hodge has been a charm to work with throughout the years and that her stable has been second to none.
He emphasised that Sunday March 17, 2013 was a very proud moment for all of the Virgin Islands and was particularly moved by the large outpouring of support from the VI.
Territorial At-Large Representative Hon. Archibald C. Christian spoke of how the crowd roared when the name Really Uptown was called before the race on Sunday and described the scene of Virgin Islands flags waving and the pride that reflected when the National Anthem of the Virgin Islands was sung.
“For the very first time in a foreign Territory I saw the pride beaming from Virgin Islanders in that stand...I am proud this afternoon. We have something to celebrate again and we ought to continue to remember this day and celebrate it for as long as we can because so often we spend so much time dwelling in negative things. Today and this afternoon we have an opportunity to celebrate the victory of Really Uptown and putting the Virgin Islands on the map yet again for producing one of the finest horses in the history of Virgin Islands horse racing.”
Hon. Christian assured the VI Horse Owners Association that Government would do “whatever is necessary” to continue to support horse racing in the VI. “We know that we living in challenging times right now but we recognise that the sport is the most popular sport in the BVI and indeed the Virgin Islands.”
He encouraged the Horse Owners Association not to “sit on their laurels” but continue to seek more ways to make the sport more attractive and to ensure that it remains a legal and competitive sport in the VI.
Vice-President of the VI Horse Owners Association Mr Lesmore Smith, speaking in place of President Mrs Karen Smith-Aaron who he said was out of the Territory, reflected went back years ago when he was part of the committee led by Dereck ‘Aruba’ Marshall that initiated having the Triple Crown among the Virgin Islands “and from there we took off with the energy and from there Mr Marshall with vision and team behind him pushed it forward. And today we finally have a Triple Crown winner in the Virgin Islands.”
Mr Smith, who is the owner of Good Prospecting, said he was also fortunate to participate in the Triple Crown “but you know a crown should always be given to a queen.”
The Vice-President congratulated all the horse owners, both in the Virgin Islands and USVI, for participating in the Triple Crown over the last two years despite the challenges, especially regarding the transporting of horses. “We are hoping that with the good Ministers here with us today, would ensure that they help us find a better way to be able to travel and bring home more crowns.”
He also promised Mrs Hodge the committee’s full support and thanked her husband Mr Earl ‘Bob’ Hodge for the support he gave to Mrs Hodge over the years regarding horse racing. He added it was not easy task being a horse owner and that Mrs Hodge was well deserving of the recognition.
The woman of the moment, Mrs Violet “Letty” Hodge said she was extremely proud of the recognition being given and that she was grateful to be representing the Virgin Islands and seeking to put it on the map, with Actspectation and now Really Uptown.
“First of all I would like to say that I am glad to be able to represent the BVI in horse racing. I have always tried to bring us up to date and put us on the map, with Actspectation...he did put us on the map, and it was a horse that everyone tried to beat in the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, St. Croix, they brought everything that they could have found to beat him and he prevailed...Now today we have another horse in Really Uptown that can run...”
Mrs Hodge also thanked the many fans, “some of them from way back with Actspectation and now Really Uptown. I am so proud, so, so proud to bring back the Triple Crown to the VI and I hope [for] the continued support and thank you VI for being able to represent you.
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33 Responses to “Really Uptown praised for generating VI pride”
The NDP cannot manage the country so the country should ask the whole lot to resign.
BIG UP to All THE FANS AND WE GOING FOR THE GOVERNORS CUP APRIL 26 2013.