The Labour Day Races, initially slated for Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Clinton E. Phipps Sr Racetrack on St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI), have been cancelled. Photo: Facebook

US Virgin Islands Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr has said that 'By moving Bill No. 36-0313 to the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance rather than voting on the agreement, the Legislature has effectively killed it and rejected a substantial private investment in the future of horse racing in the [US] Virgin Islands. Photo: VI Consortium

The cancellation does not come as a surprise, as USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr. declared on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, that the Legislature had “effectively killed” the proposed Southland Gaming horse-racing agreement by sending Bill 36-0313 to the Budget Committee rather than taking a final vote, and said Southland now lacked the license needed to promote the planned September 6 race day. 

The event’s cancellation was confirmed to our News Centre by Chief Operating Officer of Southland Gaming VI, Shaine A. Gaspard, today, August 27, 2026.

The bill had received a lengthy hearing before the Committee of the Whole House on Monday, and lawmakers were expected to decide its fate during Wednesday’s legislative session. When the bill came up, however, Senator Kurt A. Vialet moved to assign it to committee.

Southland Gaming could ‘move on’- Gov Bryan

Senator Vialet stressed that the referral should not be interpreted as an effort to kill the legislation.

“The bill is not dead, and the members had no intention of killing this particular measure because we understand the importance of horse racing and the importance of the industry,” he said.

Governor Bryan said; however, that “By moving Bill No. 36-0313 to the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance rather than voting on the agreement, the Legislature has effectively killed it and rejected a substantial private investment in the future of horse racing in the [US] Virgin Islands.”

Government House now argues that further delay could cause Southland to walk away.

“Today, the Legislature made its decision,” Mr Bryan said. “Time matters in a deal of this size. Costs rise. Circumstances change. Investors move on. Time kills deals.”

Meanwhile, horses from the Virgin Islands were expected to participate in the Labour Day Races.