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News

November 13th, 2023
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.

August 25th, 2023
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.

April 14th, 2023
Gov’t made 'significant' offer to family owning land @ Ellis Thomas Downs- Premier

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has indicated the Government of the Virgin Islands is awaiting a response from the family responsible for the Ellis Thomas Downs land in Sea Cows Bay, which will determine the future of horseracing.

January 6th, 2023
Fraser pleaded for vessels removal from SCB Harbour, attention to Downs repair

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was last month at the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) Meeting that Leader of the Opposition and Member for the Third District Hon Julian Fraser RA said he attended meetings with Mr Anthony S. McMaster, Chief Executive Officer of the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), and it was a 'go' to start removing the derelict vessels from the Sea Cows Bay Harbour.

December 26th, 2022
‘National tragedy that there is no horse racing today’ - Dr Michael A. Turnbull

SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Reverend Dr. Michael A. Turnbull aka 'Dr Mike' who is the brother of Legislator, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) has called a ‘National Tragedy’ the fact that there is no boxing day races today, December 26, 2022, in the Virgin Islands (VI).

December 19th, 2022
‘People run their mouths because they don’t have a business to run’- Hon Fraser

SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Opposition Leader and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) has maintained that Government should shun the idea of compulsory acquisition of land at Ellis Thomas Downs, as is being advocated by avid horse racing fan Eileene L. Parsons, OBE.

December 8th, 2022
Ms Parsons comments on Ellis Thomas Downs matter ‘misleading’- Hon Fraser

SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Former legislator Elieene L. Parsons OBE recently sought to shift blame on the state of Ellis Thomas Downs and the current impasse that has resulted in a ban on its use to Third District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser RA.

October 2nd, 2022
No Gov’t should take property from any Virgin Islander- Hon Fraser

SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Opposition Leader and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA says the ongoing issue regarding Ellis Thomas Downs must be properly addressed at the level of the Premier.

September 15th, 2022
Unity Gov't denies cancelling contract with Thomas family

SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI - The Unity Government led by Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says it remains committed to continuing efforts to resolve all outstanding issues with the Thomas family regarding the use of their land, which forms a part of Ellis Thomas Downs.

September 14th, 2022
Unity Gov’t cancelled contract with Thomas family; Accused of misleading public

SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- There has been much speculation regarding the ban on the use of the Virgin Islands (VI) only venue for horse racing, Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay, due to the lack of information provided to the public. This has also resulted in persons making misguided claims and even threats to the Thomas family.

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