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

Ellis Thomas Downs gets partial cleanup; Still no decision on August races

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. Photo: Team of Reporters
Some of the grass was cut at Ellis Thomas Downs. Photo: Team of Reporters
Some of the grass was cut at Ellis Thomas Downs. Photo: Team of Reporters
The racing surface at Ellis Thomas Downs is now visible again, as the vegetation has been removed. Photo: Team of Reporters
The racing surface at Ellis Thomas Downs is now visible again, as the vegetation has been removed. Photo: Team of Reporters
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.

Some volunteers received permission to access the facility to do a cleanup in the area over by the grandstands. The Downs has sat abandoned for almost two years.

Since the negotiations with one landowner have faced some challenges, the issue of the August Monday 2024 horse races remains unclear.  

There have been many loud voices in the community for the resumption of horse races, a national pastime. Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said at a press conference last week that negotiations are ongoing, therefore, he would not comment.

Horse racing will be back- Premier

However, Dr Wheatley noted that his administration is committed to horse racing and it will return to the Virgin Islands, “one way or the other”.

The Thomas family, the other party involved, has not made any public statements about the matter.

6 Responses to “Ellis Thomas Downs gets partial cleanup; Still no decision on August races”

  • jack (27/03/2024, 14:49) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    Nice clean up
  • ?? (27/03/2024, 15:13) Like (1) Dislike (9) Reply
    Willock for D3
  • tola (27/03/2024, 16:35) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    That can be the new location for donkey race
  • jack@$$ (27/03/2024, 17:41) Like (21) Dislike (6) Reply
    Who can afford horses in these times. Some ppl just need a place to go dress up and show off themselves. Horse racing has died out in the entire region b/c times are hard an horses expensive.
  • round rock (27/03/2024, 18:08) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    I applaud the work done by Mr. Julian Willock and his team hat include Kishma Forbes for the work that they are doing in District three. It shows clearly that he is a man for the people, and I would give him my support at General Election should he decide to contest the seat. Julian Fraser is a two-edged sword and cannot be trusted anymore. It would be better if the government could acquire the land that housed the racetrack rather than spending ten million dollars on another person property as Fraser is suggesting. The government has spent too much money on the property, and it is not theirs. It is either the Thomas's family decide to sell the land and the government it will invest more money on the property.It is time for Fraser to retire and enjoy his retirement with his grand children.
  • Pure BS (28/03/2024, 08:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    They clean it to make space for more bush to grow (roll eyes)


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit 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.