BVI Horsemen Decry Race Cancellation
Leading horse racing figures across the Virgin Islands have expressed deep disappointment following the sudden cancellation of the scheduled Labor Day Races in St. Thomas. Lesmore Smith of Tortola's Top Priority Stables and Calvert Charleswell of St. Thomas were among those heavily affected, having prepared a combined eight entries for the event. The eleventh-hour decision has sparked broader concerns over the stability of future racing cards across the region.
Prominent horse owners across the Virgin Islands have voiced their profound disappointment following the abrupt cancellation of the Labor Day Races scheduled for the Clinton E. The decision, delivered less than two weeks before the scheduled race card, has left trainers, horsemen, and local turf fans frustrated and seeking answers regarding the future of racing at the venue.
Among the most severely impacted are Lesmore Smith, owner of Tortola-based Top Priority Stables, and Calvert "Wacko" Charleswell, who operates Black Label Racing Stables in St. Between them, the two seasoned turf figures had prepared eight horses that were slated to compete on the holiday weekend card before officials decided to call off the event.
For British Virgin Islands stables, the cancellation carries significant operational and financial consequences. Preparing thoroughbreds for inter-island competition requires weeks of intense conditioning, substantial dietary investments, veterinary care, and complex logistical planning to transport horses and stable hands across the waters between Tortola and St.
When fixtures are scrapped on short notice, owners absorb substantial sunk costs with no opportunity to compete for purses. Horse racing has long served as an integral sporting and cultural bridge between the British and U.S. Race Track regularly draw enthusiastic crowds from the BVI, fostering friendly territorial rivalries and providing local stables with vital opportunities to showcase their talent on larger stages.
The unexpected cancellation also casts a shadow of uncertainty over future meets at the St. Horsemen from both sides of the territory are now calling for clearer communication and greater stability from racing administrators to ensure that the sport can sustainably rebound and thrive for participants and spectators alike.
Primary source: Virgin Islands Daily News (Website)