Opposition has questions over failed horse imports

SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR Wavell Hinds is raising questions over a $20-million loan that the Jamaican Government granted the Jamaica Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders (TOBA) recently; monies that were then used in a failed bid by the entity to import 10 horses from Canada.

The horses were earmarked to inject more life into the local horse-racing industry, but there was a misunderstanding on behalf of TOBA who, The Gleaner understands, sent a representative to purchase the animals at the Woodbine Select Yearling Sale in Ontario, Canada.

An advertisement in The Gleaner’s Track and Pools publication was placed, indicating that the horses would be available to the membership of TOBA for purchasing at the annual Yearling Sale, usually held in November in St Catherine.

However, officials from the Veterinary Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries intervened when they saw the advert.

They queried TOBA’s actions in attempting to bring in the animals from Canada without getting permission from the Veterinary Division.

It is understood that TOBA, to reduce importation costs, wanted to truck the horses from Canada to Florida, before sending them to Jamaica via air within a few days.

The move was blocked by the Americans – who slapped a one-year ban on the horses, until October 2024, after learning from their Jamaican counterparts that the horses weren’t native-bred and could not enter Jamaica without proper medical certification.

Hinds, the deputy general secretary of the People’s National Party (PNP), told The Gleaner on Saturday that horse racing, and local sports in general, were not being handled properly by the Government.

“Good and meaningful consultation is always healthy and helpful,” said Hinds when asked if the Opposition’s gripe was, in part, due to the lack of communication between them and the Government before the $20-miion loan was granted.

To be clear, the matter was not a policy issue, so the Andrew Holness-led administration would not be compelled to consult with the Opposition.

“Beyond that, the use of taxpayers’ money must be appropriately allocated and adequately accounted for. It is full time horse racing and sports in general need to be coordinated and administered through a sound policy with practical and applicable procedures to support execution,” Hinds added.

He is insisting, however, that it was pertinent for the Government to answer the following questions.

FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP

“Does the government have a financial relationship – whether directly or indirectly ( via Jamaica racing commission or Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission) – with TOBA? If yes, what are the details? Was a loan or a grant given? If a loan was given what are the details? Interest rate, length of loan and security? If it is a grant, what was the basis?” he said.

“What is the value of the loan/grant? Does TOBA have the financial capacity to repay the loan? Is the loan secured against the personal assets/guarantee of the directors of TOBA? How has the Government secured the assets of the Jamaican people? Horses have been imported before and after this situation, what has caused this issue? Does the sport of horse racing need an overall policy which would incorporate the export and import of horses to ensure these embarrassing situations don’t reoccur?”

The Gleaner also understands that TOBA has taken several steps to resolve the situation.

One of which was the failed attempt to try and get the horses back to Canada and restart the process of getting the horses into Jamaica directly.

When The Gleaner contacted TOBA’s CEO, Ainsley Walters, for a comment he said the situation had not changed.