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'Gov’t did not help with return of Horse Races' - Lesmore Smith

- President of Association went into own pocket to revive sport
With the successful return of Horse Races in the Virgin Islands (VI) after an 18 months hiatus, President of the BVI Horse Racing Association, Mr Lesmore Smith (right) said they didn’t have to be dependent on Government to make it happen. Photo: VINO
Many residents from both the Virgin Islands (VI) and the USVI turned out in numbers to witness the return of the great cultural event. Many residents from both the Virgin Islands (VI) and the USVI turned out in numbers to witness the return of the great cultural event. Photo: VINO
Many residents from both the Virgin Islands (VI) and the USVI turned out in numbers to witness the return of the great cultural event. Many residents from both the Virgin Islands (VI) and the USVI turned out in numbers to witness the return of the great cultural event. Photo: VINO
Smith said he was very pleased with the turn out not only because of the investment made but “because of the lives that have been touched knowing that they can unite, have fun for one day [and] make a difference.” Photo: VINO
Smith said he was very pleased with the turn out not only because of the investment made but “because of the lives that have been touched knowing that they can unite, have fun for one day [and] make a difference.” Photo: VINO
According to Mr Smith, The return of the Virgin Islands Boxing Day spectacle, after the track and its facilities were totalled by the Hurricanes of 2017, has proven that with great effort great things can be done. Photo: Facebook
According to Mr Smith, The return of the Virgin Islands Boxing Day spectacle, after the track and its facilities were totalled by the Hurricanes of 2017, has proven that with great effort great things can be done. Photo: Facebook
SEA COW’S BAY, Tortola, VI - With the successful return of Horse Races to the Virgin Islands (VI) after an 18 month hiatus, President of the BVI Horse Racing Association, Mr Lesmore Smith said they didn’t have to be dependent on Government to make it happen.

President Smith, who was credited for single-handedly putting together a team to ensure the event happened on Boxing Day, December 26, 2018, even took on the challenge of his USVI counterpart to stage another meet at Ellis Thomas Downs in January 2019, before they head over to the USVI for an exchange challenge in February.

St. Thomas Horsemen Association President, Clinton “Boogie” Hedrington Jr., said the event went so well, the Association is looking forward to collaborating with its VI counterpart in 2019.

 “We had some discussions [St Thomas Association], we were looking at January 1st but we decided to move it to February and what I believe we will do, since we united so good and pull this off today, I would like to see us run one more in Tortola in January and then go to St. Thomas in February,” Mr Hedrington Jr. said.

In response to the challenge Mr Smith said, “I think with what we have seen and what we brought into fruition today, he has that confidence in me so I wouldn’t let him down.”

No dependency on Gov’t

According to Mr Smith, The return of the VI Boxing Day spectacle, after the track and its facilities were totalled by the Hurricanes of 2017, has proven that with great effort, great things can be done.

“We all can make it. We don’t need to depend on government, we have the energy, we have the tenacity, and we have the resilience. We only have to believe in ourselves,” Mr Smith said.  

The BVI Horse Racing Association president said that he was greatly supported by Hedrington Jr from the moment he indicated he was going to make sure the races happen this boxing day.

 “I think the spirit that they showed, encouraged me to keep going even further to keep making it a reality, they really supported me in all areas,” he said.

Public support

Smith said he was very pleased with the turn out, not only because of the investment made but “because of the lives that have been touched knowing that they can unite, have fun for one day [and] make a difference.”

Hendricks also was loud in praise of the USVI supporters, “I want to big up St Thomas and St John Horse Racing Associations and the St Thomas and St John Horsemen and women for keeping their horses going and coming out to support Tortola…. We are going to keep doing it all the time,” he said.

All the local horses that participated in yesterday’s races were from the ‘Top Priority Stable’ owned by Mr Smith. He said due to the sucess, other locals have now expressed enthusiasm in getting their horses to participate in future runs.   

11 Responses to “'Gov’t did not help with return of Horse Races' - Lesmore Smith ”

  • facts (27/12/2018, 12:41) Like (12) Dislike (17) Reply
    he is not the first to use his own money, Ms. Lake did that all the time
    • Hot one (28/12/2018, 10:07) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      Horses full of steroids, crowd full of cheap alcohol, teenage girls with everything hanging out, gambling - no wonder the Govt did not lend its name to this godless affair!
  • wow (27/12/2018, 13:02) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    KUDOS! Leave Government out and all is Well!
    • the rock (27/12/2018, 22:06) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      Purses for the next race day will come from where, st thomas help with everything except the purses now they want us to host another one before we go down, not a ting should go so, but anyway we here in the bvi stupid.
      • @the rock (28/12/2018, 08:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        BVI always have races in January after boxing day races. But only real racing fans know that. Feb or March is usually STT......then Stt carnival races after.....its always the same flow
  • wize up (27/12/2018, 13:33) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    government and those seeking government only know we just before an election(ask somebody)
  • track (27/12/2018, 16:10) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    All them wanna be politicians were there looking friend. Gimme me a dam break. Fraser is the man.
  • @ fact (27/12/2018, 16:17) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nobody is taking away from Mrs Lake and what she has done for the country. In fact she has served her country well and no doubt will continue to do so. This article is about the return of horse racing and how it came about after Irma. Lesmore has done what he could at this point. Just to say well done is too much for you to say without trying to stir up issues. Greez man SMH.
  • To thief (27/12/2018, 21:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Government is broke they steal all the money so they cant help

    Just ask m and m
  • guy hill (28/12/2018, 10:58) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good job Mr. Lesmore Smith. God is always good. Be bless. Be Brave.


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