St. Thomas Labour Day Races Cancelled
The upcoming Labour Day horse races scheduled for St. Thomas have been officially cancelled following legislative delays over a key racing agreement. The decision impacts several British Virgin Islands horse owners and fans who were preparing to travel and compete in the regional event.
The highly anticipated Labour Day horse races scheduled for September 6 on St. Thomas have been officially cancelled, dealing a disappointment to horse owners, trainers, and turf enthusiasts across the Virgin Islands archipelago. Chief Operating Officer of Southland Gaming VI, Shaine A.
Gaspard, confirmed the event's cancellation following legislative developments in the United States Virgin Islands. The decision came after USVI lawmakers opted to delay action on a pivotal horse-racing agreement, leaving the operator without the necessary framework to stage the holiday races.
The setback unfolded after USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr. expressed deep frustration with the Legislature. Rather than voting on the proposed agreement in Bill No. 36-0313 during a full legislative session, lawmakers voted to refer the measure to the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance.
Governor Bryan argued that the procedural delay effectively jeopardises substantial private investment, warning that extended timelines could prompt Southland Gaming to withdraw from the venture entirely. Vialet defended the move, emphasising that assigning the bill to committee was not an effort to end the initiative.
Vialet stated that lawmakers recognise the cultural and economic importance of horse racing in the territory and intend to properly review the legislation. Governor Bryan, however, maintained that time is critical for large-scale investments, cautioning that rising costs and shifting circumstances could kill the deal.
The cancellation represents a significant loss for the broader Virgin Islands sporting community, where cross-border competition is a longstanding tradition. Stables from the British Virgin Islands routinely travel across the waters to compete in St. Thomas, drawing large contingents of traveling fans.
Local horsemen who were actively preparing their thoroughbreds for the Labour Day contest will now have to wait for the regulatory impasse to be resolved before regional racing can resume.
Primary source: VINO