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Horse races Out! Cultural Event In! August Tuesday @ Ellis Thomas Downs

Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay was once a place where horses pranced and gripped the audience with their blazing speed. Today, donkeys find it a perfect place to graze. Photo: VINO
The land negotiations between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Thomas family have stalled for almost a year, and the popular horse racing venue is now resembling a wasteland. Photo: VINO
The land negotiations between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Thomas family have stalled for almost a year, and the popular horse racing venue is now resembling a wasteland. Photo: VINO
The Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group is headed by Mrs Beverley E. Hodge-Smith, a former Private Secretary to a Chief Minister and a Premier. Photo: Team of Reporters
The Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group is headed by Mrs Beverley E. Hodge-Smith, a former Private Secretary to a Chief Minister and a Premier. Photo: Team of Reporters
Members of the Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group are working in overdrive to prepare the area for the grand cultural event on August Tuesday. Photo: VINO
Members of the Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group are working in overdrive to prepare the area for the grand cultural event on August Tuesday. Photo: VINO
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- The land negotiations between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Thomas family have stalled for almost a year. Therefore, missing from the 70th Anniversary Emancipation celebrations would be the traditional August Tuesday races, which would have taken place on August 6, 2024.

As of today, July 31, 2024, Ellis Thomas Downs is like a wasteland. Goats and donkeys have used the racetrack to graze, with owners tying them there. Horses that have been sent to pasture also use it and the middle of the track is filled with bushes and overgrown trees and shrubs.

The running surface of the Downs is also an abandoned area with overgrown weeds and small trees and would need huge amounts of funds to redo.

The private land owner adjacent to the land owned by the Government and the Thomas Family has rented the land for storage of boats, cars and other materials. The grandstand remains roofless and the horse stables are in disrepair.

Many residents are troubled that the racetrack matter was not resolved in time for the annual August Tuesday races.

Big Cultural event to temporarily replace horse races- Hodge-Smith  

However, to preserve the important day in District Three, a newly formed group called ‘The Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group’ headed by Mrs Beverley E. Hodge-Smith, a former Private Secretary to a Chief Minister and a Premier, has taken the lead in organising a substitute event.

The cultural event, which will kick off at 12 noon at Ellis Thomas Downs, will see donkey races, donkey cart rides, games such as dominoes, and cultural food and drinks on sale. According to Mrs Hodge-Smith, there will also be music and residents can look forward to a family-filled event.

Mrs Hodge-Smith also stressed the importance of August Tuesday to the residents not only of District Three but the Territory as it is “the second holiday given to this Territory to host Emancipation activities. It was assigned mainly for horseracing, which had become a most loved sport in the Virgin Islands”.

The group noted that the August Tuesday Cultural event is only to fill the void temporarily, because of the lack of horse racing.

Mrs Hodge-Smith added that members of the group are working in overdrive to prepare the area for the grand cultural event.

27 Responses to “Horse races Out! Cultural Event In! August Tuesday @ Ellis Thomas Downs”

  • kudos (31/07/2024, 18:09) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    Thank you - a very good idea. I hope that people will come out.
  • hog city (31/07/2024, 18:27) Like (8) Dislike (17) Reply
    Once you start this there goes horse racing
    • Native Tongue (31/07/2024, 18:59) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
      Can't horse racing be done elsewhere?
    • 2 cents (01/08/2024, 06:38) Like (57) Dislike (2) Reply
      Tell the horse race association rent the property. It would probably be for a lesser charge. Why people so comfortable with government footing the bill and a small select reaping the reward. Tax payers who attend that event double paying. Cause it's your tax money was being used to rent the place and then you still have to pay to attend.
  • ................................. (31/07/2024, 18:34) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lawd vino why ayo so dramatic...a place for goats and donkeys lol

    Good job ms hodge
  • John (31/07/2024, 19:35) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    Are we going to have raceing horse ???? that would be nice
  • Embarrassing (31/07/2024, 20:07) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    What an embarrassment.
  • goat (31/07/2024, 20:18) Like (18) Dislike (11) Reply
    People here can’t feed themselves must less feed race horses. All the people who kept that sport up are now deceased so get over it no more horse racing in the bvi
    • @goat (01/08/2024, 16:04) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      you killed everyone who kept up with horse racing. you sound so schupid. you need to crawl back under your rock,
  • NezRez (31/07/2024, 20:44) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    I saw only one donkey. I hope more will come along with other animals to graze.
  • WOW (31/07/2024, 22:34) Like (1) Dislike (10) Reply
    Beverly is beating a dead horse
  • Unfreaking believable (31/07/2024, 23:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Unfreaking believable. Previous Governments have invested heavily in that track. Guess we have to thank the donkeys for saving the day. They are entertaining. Thanks for trying Mrs. Hodge-Smith. Happy emancipation everyone.
  • Herbs Powa (01/08/2024, 04:09) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    The horses actually was looking better than the people who took care of them.
  • Boycott a must. (01/08/2024, 06:02) Like (8) Dislike (16) Reply
    We need to not go to that place for anything that's not Horse Race. Showing up is giving these losers a win.
  • pat (01/08/2024, 07:16) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Well done to the committee but I am really surprised people actually allow horse race to be cancelled like that!!!
  • family (01/08/2024, 08:08) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    pay us our money
  • hog city (01/08/2024, 09:21) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Good job Beverly but ayo should put some licks on the premier it's his fault the Thomas family are reasonable
  • do it (01/08/2024, 09:33) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Let's do it at Pariquita Bay.
  • Si ***** Err (01/08/2024, 09:57) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

    Let Lesmore take that

  • Really? (01/08/2024, 10:03) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Horse racing is better in the USVI!
  • John (01/08/2024, 11:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the premiere al he can do is promise put the horse race some where else the premiere is out the country doing nothing
  • backwards (01/08/2024, 13:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    From donkey races to horse race back to donkey race..
  • Xxx (02/08/2024, 08:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE SUPPORT YOU BEVERLY IF WILLOCK WAS NOT RUNNING I WOULD VOTE FOR YOU
  • ?? (02/08/2024, 11:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good idea Mrs. Hodge-Smith and District 3! Add a quick fashion show of the back then hair styles, clothing, shoes etc - and the comparison to the now. When horse racing comes back, please add the donkey races to the itinerary.


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