News
Feature horse race today a VI vs USVI affair!
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- The feature clash of the August Tuesday Races today, August 2, 2022, at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay will be a Virgin Islands versus US Virgin Islands affair.
August Tuesday Festival Horse Races are on!- Lesmore Smith
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- One of the Virgin Islands’ most anticipated activities during Emancipation Festival, the August Tuesday Races at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay, will be happening after all.
A lookback @ late Gov Charles W. Turnbull; Ceremony Ellis Thomas Downs
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI - It was last Sunday, July 3, 2022, that the Virgin Islands (VI) learned of the sad news of the passing of former United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Governor Charles W. Turnbull (D) who served as a Democratic Governor for two consecutive terms 1999 to 2007.
Gov’t, Horse racing stakeholders to meet @ start of 2022– Premier
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Horse racing in the Virgin Islands (VI) could finally be revived following a hard hit from the COVID-19 pandemic that halted the sport and has seen Ellis Thomas Downs suffer some amount of neglect.
Iconic Ellis Thomas Downs sits dilapidated & overgrown
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Once the hub of comradery and a rich culture of horse races in the Virgin Islands (VI), the Iconic Elis Thomas Downs on Tortola now sits dilapidated & overgrown with vegetation.
Grandstand repairs affected by Ellis Thomas Downs lease re-negotiations
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- The re-negotiation of a lease agreement for Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay may be one of the reasons for the delay in the repairs of the grandstand that was severely damaged during the infamous 2017 hurricanes.
Moonlight Bandit sweeps feature race @ Ellis Thomas Downs
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI - Moonlight Bandit had horse racing fans jumping for joy as it trotted to victory in the feature race of the Boxing Day Races, held at Ellis Thomas Downs on Sunday, December 27, 2020.
Moonlight Bandit wins $6K purse in 2-horse race @ Ellis Thomas Downs
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Moonlight Bandit gave horse racing fans a treat on Sunday, August 16, 2020, when he thrillingly came from behind to win a two-horse clash at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay.
UPDATE: Sunday's horse racing cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Cancellations due to the global pandemic, Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), are being felt here in the Virgin Islands, with horse racing being one of the latest public events to be cancelled.
‘God knows I need help; I am ready to give up’ – Lesmore Smith
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- When Ellis Thomas Downs, the home of horse racing in the [British] Virgin Islands, was extensively damaged by the 2017 hurricanes, President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners Association and long-time horse owner, Mr Lesmore Smith took on the mantle of ensuring the sport did not die by first working to get the grandstands and track fixed and then consistently organising race cards, often using his own resources to ensure plans became reality.
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