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Racetrack land lease still unresolved; No horse races for 70th anniversary celebration

Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola remains neglected since August 2022, as there has not been a resolve to the land lease issues that have resulted in a ban on horse racing at the track. Photo: VINO
The current state of Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay. Photo: VINO
The current state of Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay. Photo: VINO
Storage of boats is one of the new uses of Ellis Thomas Downs, as the impasse between a landowning family and the Government continues. Photo: VINO
Storage of boats is one of the new uses of Ellis Thomas Downs, as the impasse between a landowning family and the Government continues. Photo: VINO
Even the bleachers at Ellis Thomas Downs have seen no maintenance or upgrading for over a year. Photo: VINO
Even the bleachers at Ellis Thomas Downs have seen no maintenance or upgrading for over a year. Photo: VINO
The last race day at Ellis Thomas Downs was August Tuesday of 2022. Since then Ellis Thomas Downs has laid barren. Photo: VINO/File
The last race day at Ellis Thomas Downs was August Tuesday of 2022. Since then Ellis Thomas Downs has laid barren. Photo: VINO/File
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.

Horse racing in the British Overseas Territory (Tortola), which remains a deep part of our cultural identity and pride in the Greater Virgin Islands, has been at a standstill over a dispute with one of three landowners.

It is our understanding that two issues are at the heart of the land dispute. The first is the company the land lease should be in, which the Government labeled as “anomalies”, and the other issue is the new cost of the lease renewal.

There has been correspondence between the family in question, the Thomas Family, and the Government of the Virgin Islands, in particular the Premier’s Office, which has the responsibility under the Dr Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) Administration for lands through the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.

Land & its cost

It is believed that the Government has proposed a cost per square foot below market value, and this has caused the standoff. Therefore, until this matter is resolved, the Government or the BVI Horse Owner’s Association cannot use the Ellis Thomas Downs for any more races.

The land in question is three plots: Parcels 170, 171, and 246, Block 2736B, Sea Cows Bay Registration Section. There seem to be no recent ongoing talks with the family, as many community-minded residents have urged the Dr Wheatley regime to appoint a negotiating committee to make a serious attempt to resolve the issues.

To date, this call has fallen on deaf ears and, instead, there are letters between the Premier and the family, with matters being referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Additionally, there are others, like the controversial former legislator Mrs Eileene L. Parsons, OBE, who have stated publicly that the Government should use its power under the Compulsory Land Acquisition Act Cap 222, Sec 3, to take the land.

This idea has been met with mixed reactions by the public, especially from residents of District Three and the District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA, who is opposed to the idea. District Three (Sea Cows Bay) is the home of Ellis Thomas Downs. Land ownership by Virgin Islanders remains sacrosanct, as it has been one of the methods of empowerment.

Appoint a negotiating team- Willock

In an invited comment, former Speaker of the House of Assembly Julian Willock, who is an outspoken Third District Resident, said: “Compulsory acquisition is a divisive tool, and I strongly believe there can be a negotiated settlement that is a win-win for the people of the Territory, The Government, the horse owners, the sport and the fans, along with the Thomas Family.”

Mr Willock noted, “that sometimes you have to take these kinds of emotional issues out of the hands of the Government and set up an ad hoc negotiation team, give them a mandate of items to be achieved and move the process forward.”

However, as the stalemate continues, one can safely conclude there will be no horse racing come August Tuesday 2024, as the Virgin Islands celebrates the 70th anniversary of its emancipation festival. Many see this as a travesty, especially if the government is expected to spend upwards of three million dollars to make this 70th-anniversary event a success.

Horse racing has always been the highlight of any August festivities and is considered an economic booster.

No attention paid to facility after hurricanes of 2017

In addition, after hurricanes Irma and Maria damaged the Ellis Thomas Downs infrastructure, along with the statue, in September 2017, not much work was done to restore the bleachers, the statue of Ellis Thomas whom the facility is named in his honour, or upgrading and building new horse stables.

Up to today, November 13, 2023, the Ellis Thomas Downs (formerly Little A Racetrack), which was reopened in 1997 after its rehabilitation with an investment of some two million dollars, is like a wasteland.

A visit to the facility will find overgrown trees, uncut grass, deteriorating bleachers; an unmaintained and neglected running surface, which is now a grass track, and a place now for storage of boats, automobiles, and the rearing of livestock.

It is unclear how much of a priority this racing facility is for the Government of the day, but horse racing fans from both the USVI and VI were hoping that the matter would have been resolved to have races for August Tuesday 2024, but as time goes by and the compound worsens, hopes have been dashed.

Is there a way forward?

Among the opinions shared is that if the Government of Dr Wheatley is to save the sports, it must be prepared to pour in at least one million plus dollars to fix the bleachers, including adding a covering, repairing the running surface, building some new stables and negotiating in good faith with the Thomas Family, and even subsidising the purchase of horses. There is also the need to get parimutuel wagering up and running to help support the race day purses and maintenance of the facility.  

In the meantime, while the racetrack on the main island of Tortola is being ignored, our neighbours in the USVI are full speed ahead with building and upgrading racing facilities on St Thomas and St Croix via public-private partnerships.

It remains unclear if there is still a window to negotiate, as efforts to reach the Thomas family spokeswoman, Attorney Mrs Marie Elaine Thomas-Griffin, proved futile up to publication time.

Premier Wheatley also did not offer a comment on the matter when requested.

29 Responses to “Racetrack land lease still unresolved; No horse races for 70th anniversary celebration”

  • WOWWWW (13/11/2023, 09:45) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is the boat Forsale ??????
  • Truth (13/11/2023, 10:03) Like (23) Dislike (16) Reply
    Horse racing in the BVI was corrupted then ruined by drug smuggling horse owners and supporters in the BVI. The assassination of their leader doomed this cultural activity forever.
  • ... (13/11/2023, 10:07) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    No horse racing no 70th annerversery
  • Observer (13/11/2023, 10:11) Like (27) Dislike (9) Reply
    Put the racetrack on Anegada. Case closed
  • Head Coach (13/11/2023, 10:17) Like (44) Dislike (17) Reply
    GOOD HEAD COACH, BAD HEAD COACH IF HE WAS HERE THIS WOULDA NEVER PROLONG SO LONG. SINCE HE GONE THE BVI HAS GONE TO THE DOGS IN EVERYTHING. I SAID WHAT I SAID. FREE THE COACH, REAL PEOPLE DO REAL THINGS!!!
  • Strupes (13/11/2023, 10:26) Like (22) Dislike (5) Reply
    Clear the big land up beef island where they was planning and build car racing track and use it since Thomas family trying to be difficult. Horse racing in BVI brings ppl from all over the world who love the sport and some who don't even like it much but still come to support the good vibes. Why can't the government come together and do something right for once for the ppl of the country and stop squander the money for their own benefits.
    • The Watcher (13/11/2023, 12:28) Like (25) Dislike (7) Reply
      ...PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD? Like who?
    • WHAT!!! (13/11/2023, 12:46) Like (24) Dislike (7) Reply
      “Strupes”
      Tortola horse racing “ brings people from all over the world”
      What you been smoking?
      • @WHAT!!! (13/11/2023, 13:28) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
        Ppl do come from all over the world since it's during carnival time. If you would stop come on the track to watch what ppl wearing and who them with you would know. But continue to drink water and mind your business and smoke what you smoking on
  • New Location (13/11/2023, 10:36) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can't the government just find a new location?
  • Lb (13/11/2023, 10:40) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    How is Ms P “controversial” but you are simply “outspoken”? LMAO!
  • Land owner (13/11/2023, 11:07) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    The solution is simple, pay what was proposed or look another location
    • @ Land Owner (15/11/2023, 17:25) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      I should have been the one negotiating. I find the government likes to hide the truth too much. Tell the people the dam truth. That ONE land owner fulla s***. Time the truth be told. Don't hide past mistakes. Expose the non-sense.
  • Hmm (13/11/2023, 11:32) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    Natalio is a waste of time.
  • Lives in Orlando (13/11/2023, 12:04) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    This is shameful, I am not coming home again
  • Anyone care about the horses? (13/11/2023, 13:06) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    Nope, didn’t think so.
    Have you seen how they end up? Wandering around emaciated?
    I bet the tourists love that, just like they love all the emaciated dogs.
  • $$$ (13/11/2023, 15:39) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    white land owner; the administration would have shell out the dollar
  • Slowande (13/11/2023, 15:46) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Joe Camel isn't getting this issue handled at all. Doesn't seem like a priority to him either. Horse racing was a major economic stimulator. Get this issue resolved Joe Camel, Slowande, Nat-Andrew.
  • Anonymous (13/11/2023, 15:55) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Jah man I love to see the fashion show on race day both men and women does be sharp mehson
  • ................................. (13/11/2023, 17:35) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    One thing rings true, and that’s bad news always travels farther than good news...see they had Ted and them to kill
  • take (13/11/2023, 18:49) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    You all sound so silly take, it's yours then. You all just need to pay them people what they ask for the lease. Stop that nonsense it's the people property. Let's get the sport back on track
    • HMMM (13/11/2023, 21:26) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      Just take the land
      And give the family market value nobody should be able to hold the government and country from moving forward
  • ann (13/11/2023, 19:25) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Boss we need horse racing next year
  • reality (13/11/2023, 21:19) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    the government should not be paying for a lease for private horse races, no where in the modern world do race courses belong to the government they are they to generate money,, if they cannot do it, they need to close just like any other business. The one here on Tortola was run with drug money for decades, the boss got killed and so did horse racing in the BVI.
  • Other use (13/11/2023, 22:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes lease the land at market race but build sports fields and track that the youth can user 365 days of the year.
  • rattie (14/11/2023, 07:07) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We understand the challenges that come with the job of a premier but i support the need for independent negations
  • d3 (14/11/2023, 09:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government just need to find somewhere it is that simple because I will tell you them Thomas is not easy to deal with it’s a family that holds one head.Especially when it come to LAND trust me on that.
  • SO WHERE IS THE ZHAR (17/11/2023, 19:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    HE WANT TO BE THE PREMIER OF THIS HOLY LAND AND CANNOT EVEN TAKE CARE OF A SIMPLE LAND DISPUTE IN HIS OWN DISTRICT ???? WITH ALL THAT KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE THAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO POSSESS / PERHAPS THE WIGGED ONE WAS RIGHT , WHEN HE SAID THAT THE FELLOW IS SLIPPING AND NEEDS TO STEP ASIDE AND LET HE SHOW HIM WHAT TIME IT IS


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