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Iconic Ellis Thomas Downs sits dilapidated & overgrown

- Home of VI’s #1 national pastime left to rot as COVID-19 pandemic rages on
Once the hub of comradery and a rich culture of horse races in the Virgin Islands (VI), the Iconic Elis Thomas Downs on Tortola now sits dilapidated & overgrown with vegetation. Photo: Team of Reporters
A visit to the Sea Cows Bay facility has revealed broken statues and an overgrown racetrack now home to small livestock where grass has reclaimed the grounds that was once the focal point of some of the greatest horse races over the years. Photo: Team of Reporters
A visit to the Sea Cows Bay facility has revealed broken statues and an overgrown racetrack now home to small livestock where grass has reclaimed the grounds that was once the focal point of some of the greatest horse races over the years. Photo: Team of Reporters
During the 11th Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on Monday, August 16, 2021, Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) queried from Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) about his plans for Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay. Photo: HoA/File
During the 11th Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on Monday, August 16, 2021, Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) queried from Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) about his plans for Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay. Photo: HoA/File
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Once the hub of comradery and a rich culture of horse races in the Virgin Islands (VI), the Iconic Elis Thomas Downs on Tortola now sits dilapidated & overgrown with vegetation.

A visit to the Sea Cows Bay facility has revealed an overgrown running surface now home to small livestock where grass and shrubs has reclaimed the grounds that was once the focal point of some of the greatest horse races over the years.

While the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on social gatherings have reduced the demand for the sport, the facility has been in disrepair since after the 2017 hurricanes. 

The statue, a symbol of the name change from Little A Race Track to Ellis Thomas Downs; which was damaged after the hurricanes of 2017 has still not been restored. 

Hon Julian Fraser lone voice on state of facility

During the 11th Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on Monday, August 16, 2021, Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) queried from Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) about his plans for Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay.

“Mr Speaker, while there are no arguments that horse racing is our number one national pastime, we also know that the Ellis Thomas Downs was decimated by Hurricane Irma and gained no government attention since.” Hon Fraser said.

Hon Fraser had asked of the Premier, “As Minister responsible for development can the Hon Premier and Minister for Finance, please tell this honorable House (a) if it is in his plans to rebuild the grandstands at Ellis Thomas Downs; (b) if the answer is yes, when and if the answer is no, why not.”

Premier commits to repairing faciltiy 

Premier Fahie said that while he agrees that that horse racing in the VI is a national pastime and that Ellis Thomas Downs was decimated in the 2017 Hurricanes of Irma and Maria, he said the government was currently in evaluation on how best to complete the repairs.

During the 2022 Budget presentation on November 11, 2021, Premier Fahie had committed funds to repairing sport facilities and resuming popular sporting events in 2022.

Efforts to reach the Executive Director of the Recreational Trust, Mr Eustance C. Freeman aka 'Boss' proved futile. While some repairs were made to the hurricane-damaged grandstand of the racing facility, is also still in need of roof repairs, as well as overall maintenance.

 

29 Responses to “Iconic Ellis Thomas Downs sits dilapidated & overgrown ”

  • Big Shame (12/12/2021, 09:55) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    That place is in bad shape. No one seems to care.
    • Cold as ice (13/12/2021, 06:16) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
      It was always a waste of money. Turn it into soccer pitches and other sports facilities. I don't buy into the complaint that the noise upsets the horses, but I suspect that having people use this public facility does disturb other activities!
  • Wonder Why; (12/12/2021, 10:09) Like (9) Dislike (10) Reply
    The Minister of Sports, Culture and agriculture, is killing everything sports, culture and agriculture...Isn't that obvious...
  • NezRez (12/12/2021, 10:15) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Somebody needs this job. First come first served. Hurry hurry, come for curry. LOL lol
  • WHAT!!!! (12/12/2021, 10:17) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
    Maybe we need a few consultants to deal with this?
  • local boy (12/12/2021, 10:20) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Omg that can't be the running surface I seeing there, No man. We aint serious. #dubai investors, american investor where we going mison. Lord help us.
  • hog city (12/12/2021, 10:22) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    My god this is shameful Fraser need to cross the floor and get things like this done for district and country
    • No (12/12/2021, 10:43) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      They need to give them back their property. Can we taxpayers afford what the landowners are asking for? Give them back their land!
    • Lean on me hog city (12/12/2021, 22:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Got to lean on minister of sports more.
  • Laura (12/12/2021, 10:51) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    WOW! That place looks like a wilderness..how can people allow a property to become so dilapidated buddy. Horse racing has gone to the dogs sah
  • Rubber Duck (12/12/2021, 10:55) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Who to blame? Ndp ignored the race track because it was in the third district now vip got in 2019 money tight in a pandemic, so it falls through the cracks
  • I thought (12/12/2021, 11:03) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    BVI was the sailing capital of the world didnt know about horse racing.
  • Yes (12/12/2021, 11:05) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why would government invest unless they outright own this land. The lease negotiated years ago was foolish and you are now stuck with it. Land is not government's
  • Funny (12/12/2021, 11:49) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
    thats what happens when you kill or jail all the drug dealers involved in horse racing, no money for up keep
  • @ HOG CITY (12/12/2021, 12:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    the man just catching himself , plus he done got bitten by those snakes in the weed
    • @ @ HOG CITY (12/12/2021, 13:05) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Come on get over it it’s about country not you the snakes not going anywhere
  • Lol omg (12/12/2021, 13:30) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The horse track looks like it is now suitable for raising livestock….maybe we can put some cattle and sheep to graze down there to get the growth back under control.
  • Funding? (12/12/2021, 13:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess the govt spent all their money fixing the incinerator so we could stop poisoning the good people of west end? Oh wait maybe not...
  • my god!!!! (12/12/2021, 14:33) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can believe what i am seeing...Isn't this the same place where i saw the premier for the first time with his bodyguards???
  • I cant believe this (12/12/2021, 14:34) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do we still have a minister of sports?
  • rip (12/12/2021, 14:37) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Horseracing gone dead with bob, mileage, siah, pa boy and axle -- god rest their souls
  • smh (13/12/2021, 07:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hmmm why the Horse Racing Association not upkeeping or trying to get the Tracks back on track? Must everything be all about Government($$$) when the Association is the primary benefactor of Horse Racing. Everyone wants to yap yap yap but don't want to contribute manually or financially in fixing the Track.
  • Dog Racing (13/12/2021, 09:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    For years I’ve been saying turn it into a dog racing track!! Cheaper than horses to care for, more races in one day, multi-days racing…it’s a win-win for everyone. Change with the times or let it dilapidate further because of dereliction by the OLD GUARD!
  • BuzzBvi (13/12/2021, 10:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Minister for Gambling must be shocked with no races to bet on now it legal and all!! Minister for Weed may be able to put the place to good use.
  • Sam (14/12/2021, 07:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    just make it a tourist attraction
    see how fast it will be taken care of

    place full of bush
    cruise ships shows up bush gets cut down

  • Hmmmmm (17/12/2021, 14:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What happen to the Horse Owners Association? It is their job to keep the Track clean. Leave Government out of this.


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