News
Revamping gaming laws key to unlocking VI's horse racing potential- Deputy Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— A revamp of existing legislation is at the heart of Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Honourable Julian Fraser RA’s (R3) renewed efforts to revitalise horse racing in the Virgin Islands.
‘Highly Noted’ saved the day for VI @ Carnival Races in USVI
ESTATE BOVONI, St Thomas, USVI- While most of the focus was on whether Tortola’s Ghostinyou would repeat as Governor’s Cup champion at the Carnival Races at Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands on Friday, May 2, 2025, the many horse racing fans from the Virgin Islands who attended the races were given an early reason to celebrate.
Ghostinyou 2nd in race for Governor's Cup
ESTATE BOVONI, Tortola, VI- 2024 Governor’s Cup champion Ghostinyou of Tortola ran a gutsy race and, for a moment, looked set to successfully defend its title; however, it was not to be.
Reviving horse racing in VI won’t be cheap- Hon Fraser
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The return of horse racing at the world-renowned Ellis Thomas Downs facility will come at a significant financial cost, according to Deputy Premier Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3).
‘We were not on the same page’ in horse racing negotiations- Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—Caving in face of persistent questioning from Opposition Member Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D Wheatley (R7) has finally admitted that the Government and one of the private landowners of Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay remain at an impasse regarding the facility's future.
Horseracing in STT suspended after several horses euthanised
ESTATE BOVONI, St Thomas, USVI- Horse racing returned to St Thomas, US Virgin Islands last year, 2024, for the first time since the devastation of Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The last race card, which saw participation from a couple of Tortola horses, was held on December 22, 2024; however, it is now unclear when another event will be held.
Ghostinyou & Pure Speight to clash again on Dec 22 in STT
ESTATE BOVONI, St Thomas, USVI- The recent clash between Governor’s Cup champion Gostinyou of Tortola and Lt Governor’s Cup winner Pure Speight of St Croix did not live up to the hype on November 3, 2024; however, the matchup is not yet over.
Horse racing the forgotten sports in VI
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- After some three years of no horse racing (last race was in 2021) on Tortola and the Ellis Thomas Downs land negotiations at a standstill, it appears horse racing- a big pastime and something that has been ingrained in the Virgin Islands' culture- is forgotten.
Governor’s Cup champ Ghostinyou in feature clash of 'Race to the Poles' on STT
ESTATE BOVONI, St Thomas, USVI- Another expected thrilling race featuring Tortola’s Ghostinyou is on the cards for the Race to the Poles set for Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI) on November 3, 2024.
Horse races Out! Cultural Event In! August Tuesday @ Ellis Thomas Downs
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- The land negotiations between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Thomas family have stalled for almost a year. Therefore, missing from the 70th Anniversary Emancipation celebrations would be the traditional August Tuesday races, which would have taken place on August 6, 2024.

