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Sep 08, 2013 Sports
By Samuel Whyte
Like most activities in Guyana, the sport of Horseracing, although seemingly on the rise has its fair share of problems and after much bantering, speculations, back and forth and many promises, horseracing in Guyana still has a long way to go. The relevant authorities have some way to go to bring the sport in line with how it should be administered as in other countries.
Senior Counsel and horserace magnate, Marcel Crawford, in a candid interview with Kaieteur Sport, expressed his frustration with how things are done at the moment. Coupled with the recent observation made by a group of visiting Trinidad Horse Racing officials, only serves to reemphasize that like in most sports in Guyana, the development of horseracing has a long
way to go.
Crawford, a veteran horseracing entrepreneur, stated that it is a good thing to have a functioning authority, but first it must be legalised. He stated that the authority should try to do things the correct way and first become a legal entity.
Crawford feels that there is need for a proper constituted GHRA which should lay down rules and stick to them stringently. Guyana he said should also have its own rules and not use other countries rules. He stated that the rules can be in line or patterned after other countries especially in the Caribbean. He said that there are certain pre-requisite that has to be in place before a proper functioning body is established. Rules he opined are made to control certain situations and only Guyana knows Guyana’s situation.
He said that the head of the Authority should not be involved in the sport- they should not own any racehorse, should not be involved in the training of horses nor should they have any stable or horses in their yard or compound. That person should be independent as far as possible. The GHRA right now is not legal and cannot discipline anybody. The necessary legislations must be in place.
The Jockeys, owners and trainers should all be properly registered and licenced and be in an association, which should be affiliated to the GHRA before they should be allowed to participate in race meets sanctioned by the body. All the track clubs should also be affiliated to the GHRA. Crawford stated that at the moment there are no Turf Clubs in Guyana, because a turf club must be administered by certain rules and regulations, which Guyana doesn’t have. The tracks should always be in order, if that is not so the horses will not give of their best, because the horses are sensible and are like people, he reasoned.
Crawford, also a prominent lawyer and the only Senior Counsel in Berbice, knows the game inside out having been around for a very long time and having been born into horseracing. Presently he is the Legal Advisor to the GHRA.
In recent interviews Crawford had opined that he is still very disappointed with what passes as horseracing nowadays and stated that much more could be achieved if persons are prepared to listen, be more serious and less selfish. He feels that things are still done in a haphazard way, with plenty of indiscipline and too much greed.
He expressed his disgust about the amount of doping of the horses and illegal betting and stated that persons should be charged for doping the animals, because its cruelty and the Society for the protection of animals should take note.
He feels that a lot more needs to be done if the sport is to get back to the glory days of Durban Park and in line with other Caribbean countries.
He is in favour of racing to be done at one venue like in Trinidad which will help to control the sport. Another recommendation is for Guyana to have its own breeding stocks, in that way more persons can get involved in the sport. To import horses are very expensive, he asserted.
He said that a Stud Book with supporting records should be introduced with urgency, which is a necessary prerequisite for affiliation to the Jockey Club of UK and other countries. “Without a stud book our horses cannot race out of Guyana.”
The horses should be checked by the Veterinarian on every race day and blood and Urine samples must be taken as a step towards the elimination of doping.
“No matter how much money is plugged into the game, if people are not interested in learning to do things properly then things will not get better,” he stated.
Crawford is still very disappointment with the Government in that the Horse Racing Legislation has not been passed as yet. He reemphasized, “For things to get better the government must come on board and work with the GHRA, they must give concessions and pass the legislation they cannot play this laid back game.”
He stated that he personally drafted the document and it was given to the minister of Culture Youth and Sports Dr. Frank Anthony a long time ago. The minister he noted had given a commitment to have it tabled in Parliament.
He is still disappointed that the Government is sitting on its hands in terms of passing the necessary legislations. Most countries spend money and have properly organised systems in place, but in Guyana is only talk and politics.
Mr. Crawford has some names of prominent independent individuals who can be a part of the GHRA including Bernard DeSantos, Vic Oudit and John Quail among others.
Former Chancellor of the Judiciary Cecil Kennard, who is the President of the GHRA, feels that things have improved since he has taken over but is quite cognizant of what has to be done and is prepared to listen and assist all the way until things are set right.
Kennard had stated that things are not to the level as it ought to be and people are still doing what they feel like, and cannot be penalised because there are no legislations. Although there have been some move he too is disappointed with the pace that things are being unfolded.
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