SVREL ordered to fix Caymanas Park sanitation issues within 30 days

Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited has been given 30 days to correct sanitation problems found in parts of the Caymanas Park racing complex following an unannounced visit by Ministry of Health officials from St. Catherine on Thursday.

The inspection came after a TVJ Sports report last Saturday on the donation of essential bathroom fixtures to 60 stables. During that report, trainers and grooms also raised concerns about wider working conditions at the Portmore-area racing plant.

According to SVREL executive chairman Solomon Sharpe, health officials checked several sections of the facility. He said they identified a running toilet in the stands and ordered that it be repaired within the 30-day period. The jockeys’ room drew no complaints, while groom quarters at three trainer stables were assessed as falling below acceptable sanitation standards. Officials were unable to enter one trainer’s area because that trainer was not present. Sharpe said the trainer bathrooms that were inspected were found to be in very good condition.

Sharpe is also pressing trainers to sign the stable licence agreement, saying those using the facility must accept responsibility for keeping it clean. He said the ministry warned that fines could follow if future inspections uncover breaches.

Members of the United Racehorse Trainers Association of Jamaica remain hesitant to sign. The trainers have reportedly been advised that the current document could place them at a serious legal disadvantage by treating their stable occupancy as permission granted to visitors, without attached rights.

Sharpe has said there is no immediate threat of Caymanas Park operations being closed because of the health ministry’s visit. The ministry has also recommended sanitation education programmes for grooms and trainers.

Racing is scheduled to continue on Saturday with a nine-race card headed by the 10th running of the Monday Morning Trophy, a restricted allowance event for native-bred three-year-olds over seven furlongs. Tia Maria, returning from a break of nearly five months, is the 2-1 ante-post favourite with two-time reigning champion jockey Raddesh Roman aboard for former champion trainer Anthony “Baba” Nunes. First post is set for noon.