The St Thomas/St John Horse Racing Commission is investigating conditions at the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St Thomas and has halted all racing after three horses had to be euthanised when they suffered injuries during the races in December 2024. Photo: VINO/File

Call Bros of Store Groone Realty had a good start with jockey David Perez but suffered a broken leg early in the race at the Race to the Poles at Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on November 3, 2024. Photo: VINO

Risk vs Reward en route to winning The Election Day Classic at the Race to the Poles at Clinton E. Phipps Jr Racetrack on St Thomas on November 3, 2024. Photo: VINO

The St Thomas/St John Horse Racing Commission is investigating conditions at the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St Thomas and has halted all racing after three horses had to be euthanised when they suffered injuries during the races in December.

“The Commission has reviewed the injuries that occurred on the race day, consulting with veterinarians, jockeys, trainers, and track personnel,” the letter states. “Several factors have been identified that may have contributed to the events, including pre-existing injuries, the age and overall health of the horses, the ease and availability of medication used by owners, and the condition of the racing surface,” The St Thomas/St John Horse Racing Commission stated in a press release on January 15, 2025.

According to reports, at least 7 horses had to be put down for various reasons since the reopening of the track.

Safety measures

The Commission further said it would collaborate with a safety officer from a neighbouring track in the United States to identify any other procedures that could enhance the safety measures currently in place at the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack, the letter stated.

The release noted that “the use of medication on racehorses is a significant concern, particularly as it relates to the incidents on December 22, 2024. We acknowledge that this issue is currently beyond our full control due to the existing legislative suspension of anti-doping testing for banned substances.”

With no other track available for horse racing in the USVI and the stalemate between the Virgin Islands Government and landowners of Ellis Thomas Downs having no end in sight, the ‘Sport of Kings’ will once again be on a hiatus until further notice.

Meanwhile, efforts to get a comment from Shaine Gaspard, Executive Vice-President of Southland Gaming, the developer of the racetrack on St Thomas, were futile.