After some three years of no horse racing (last race was in 2021) on Tortola and Ellis Thomas Downs land negotiations at a standstill, it appears horse racing- a big pastime and something that has been ingrained in the Virgin Islands' culture- is forgotten. Photo: Team of Reporters

Ellis Thomas Downs has been left in a state of neglect and is now overgrown with bushes. Photo: Team of Reporters

While horse racing has returned to the US Virgin Islands and is thriving, this is the current state of Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay. Photo: Team of Reporters

The negotiations with the Thomas family over the land lease have collapsed over price and fair market value, and what the government of the day is willing to pay.  

Move the racetrack?

There were some ideas floated about finding a new location for the racetrack from Anegada to Cox’s Heath or even Paraquita Bay; however, according to persons familiar with the matter, the ideas have not gotten any serious wings or considerations.

Others have asked the government to take the land via compulsory acquisition, something set out in law; however, there have been mixed reactions to that idea.

So to date it appears that the sports of kings that have generated income for many in the Sea Cows Bay community and its surrounding areas is not a priority.

There was a glimmer of hope for most horse racing fans when last month Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA, now the Deputy Premier, crossed the floor and joined the government. Many thought he would have gotten the racetrack under his portfolio, seeing that he has been an advocate for the restoration of the track after the hurricanes of 2017, however, that has not been the case.

A wasteland!

As of today, November 20, 2024, the racetrack is a wasteland with tall bushes. The running surface is covered with rocks, bushes and overgrown trees and the land adjacent, referred to as the upper gate, is a storage site.

It is our understanding that a landowner (the Downs has four landowners) has a storage agreement where boats, old cars and containers are stored. This is another eyesore.

Livestock has taken up residency at the Downs, with sheep, goats and a few donkeys. There may be some old stables still standing but it's unclear if any horses occupy them.

Just looking at the state of the area, one would not believe the Government had invested close to eight million dollars in the facility some years ago, including for land leases.

There are many voices calling for the return of horse racing and at one point Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D Wheatley (R7) promised that horse racing would be back.

USVI on the move in horse racing

Meanwhile, anyone interested in horse races will have to travel to St Thomas. Horse owners will need to have extra funds to leave their animal in St Thomas, along with someone to care for it. This is a huge financial burden, just ask local horse owner Lesmore Smith who has two horses there- Governor's Cup Champion Ghostinyou and Risk & Reward.

While the USVI is developing the sports and found an investor with the opening of the Clinton E Phipps racetrack on St Thomas and ongoing works on the Randall ‘Doc’ James Racetrack on St Croix, Ellis Thomas Down on Tortola seems to be the forgotten track.

Efforts to get a comment from Premier Wheatley and Hon Fraser were futile.