Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

“Whenever I say I coming for it, I go for it’- Lesmore Smith on 4th Gov’s cup win

-Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley vows to have races returned to VI
Horse Owner Lesmore Smith whose horse Ghostinyou had a thrilling victory to win the Governor’s Cup at the St Thomas Carnival Races says he knew the prize was his from the beginning. Photo: Facebook/File
Ghostinyou captured the top purse of $40,000.00 in its debut race in the 1 mile and 70 yards race yesterday, May 3, 2024, Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack in the USVI to bring home the Governor’s Cup after several years. Photo: Youtube
Ghostinyou captured the top purse of $40,000.00 in its debut race in the 1 mile and 70 yards race yesterday, May 3, 2024, Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack in the USVI to bring home the Governor’s Cup after several years. Photo: Youtube
Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley said the event and track were electric and packed with other legislators and Virgin Islanders as part of the cultural event shared between the two islands. Photo: Facebook
Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley said the event and track were electric and packed with other legislators and Virgin Islanders as part of the cultural event shared between the two islands. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Horse Owner Lesmore Smith whose horse Ghostinyou had a thrilling victory to win the Governor’s Cup at the St Thomas Carnival Races in the USVI says he knew the prize was his from the beginning.

Ghostinyou captured the top purse of $40,000.00 in its debut race in the 1 mile and 70 yards race yesterday, May 3, 2024, Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack in the USVI to bring home the Governor’s Cup after several years. 

Speaking during a special welcome home ceremony today, Saturday, May 4, 2024, alongside Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley  (R7) and Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), Mr Smith said his horse was trained to win the way it did.

“Most of the time you notice my horses come from off the pace and run and give me everything they got until they get home past the finish line and that is exactly how I train them, it’s not about starting, it’s about finishing,” he said.

4th win for Lesmore Smith 

Smith won the cup in 2011, 2012, 2016 and now in 2024 again to bring the cup back home, “I was much elated before the race started to see the Premier came in along with the Governor to the centre track… I told the governor it's all mine,” he said while also adding that the Jockey was flown in from the US.

“Whenever I say I'm coming for it, I go for it,” he further told reporters while thanking persons from the VI for showing up and playing a part in what took place at the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack, including working as staff for the races.

Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley said the event and track were exciting and electric, plus packed with other legislators and Virgin Islanders as part of the culture of horse races shared between the VI and USVI.

Horse Races will return to the VI - Premier 

The Premier promised to have races returned to the VI and explore options despite the dispute with the land owners of Ellis Thomas Downs and said a decision will come in consultation with the people of the VI.

“But without a shadow of a doubt, horse racing will return to the Virgin Islands,” the premier added while highlighting that sports tourism remains an important strategy to boost the local economy.

Also on hand for the welcoming ceremony was Jr Minister for Agriculture & Fisheries, Dr the Hon Hon Karl Dawson (R1).

13 Responses to ““Whenever I say I coming for it, I go for it’- Lesmore Smith on 4th Gov’s cup win”

  • Citizen (04/05/2024, 18:04) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    Welcome home lesmore be careful with them rock man and having to leave your horse down there
  • rattie (04/05/2024, 18:15) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good stuff bvi are winners
  • fish (04/05/2024, 18:22) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lesmore needs some money not a welcome home ceremony
  • flUffy (04/05/2024, 18:56) Like (24) Dislike (8) Reply
    A heart-felt congratulations to Mr.Lesmore Smith,despite not having an active truck, you and the other horseowners invested in these animals AND MADE THE B.V.I and yourself proud..THANK YOU!!...( BUT LESMORE AH SORRY TO SAY AH WASN'T STANDING WITH THE PREMIER TO TAKE NO PICTURE IN THE WINNER CIRCLE THOU!!!).HE SHOULD BE SHAME TO STAND UP DEH WITH THE HORSEMAN DEM,WHAT HAS HE DONE FOR THE SPORT????IF AH SEE HIM NEXT RACE DAY JULY 6 IN ANY WINNER CIRCLE,I STONING HE WID HORSE MANURE!!
    • @Fluffy (04/05/2024, 23:51) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
      Why you blaming the Government for the sport and not the greed of the people who own the land and want more money.. so the government should just pay out just for the sake of the sport .. rubbish. You want government to do more for sport they should just take the land then .. oh wait.. that would be unconstitutional.

      You want the races back in BVI how about talk to the own see if the land.
  • It's Already in the VI (04/05/2024, 20:19) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Horse races are already in the VI be specific say the BVI for clarity.









  • Angie (04/05/2024, 21:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hats off to you! You have made an indelible mark in Horse racing in these Virgin Islands sir..
  • drugrunner (04/05/2024, 23:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    enough said, and now everyone cheers...
  • Stop the cruelty (05/05/2024, 10:41) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ban horse racing and make the horse owners declare where the money really comes from
  • Stealth (06/05/2024, 08:12) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Congrats to Lesmore Smith and Ghostinyou for the thrilling victory in winning the prize race, the Governor’s Cup, at the St. Thomas Carnival race.. Clearly Ghostinyou was well rested, full of energy, eager and ready run, leaving the competition in the dust, bringing the bragging rights and trophy back to the VI to the shock and dismay of our USVI friends. The USVi family and friends, taking no time off, are already hard at work strategizing how to win the Governor’s cup next year , if the VI get invited next year. Lol. Moreover, on a more serious note, after a hiatus on horse racing in St. Thomas, this race was a rebirth, relaunch of horse racing in the USVI.Now, it is way past time for a rebirth and relaunch of horse racing, the sport of royalty and VI past time, in the VI. Horse racing was stop in its track and at an impasse due to contractual dispute among government and land owners. The VI is deep in the throes of planning its 70th Emancipation celebration and the traditional August Tuesday races needs to be on the agenda. Let’s set aside our differences and let the horses run free in celebrating the freedom our forebears. Race over, we can get back to the negotiating table in earnest. The horse racing saga is a victim of VI short term planning. Perhaps, the USVI might get revenge by winning the Premier’s Cup. Our national pride, unity, etc is on the line, line, so let the races begin; reopen the Ellis Thomas Downs. Sometime strong leaders in the national interest have to make tough, controversial decisions. Eminent domain is such a tough decision leaders make for the Public good. Perhaps the issue needs to be taken to mediation/arbitration .
  • Hass man (07/05/2024, 21:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Government aint taking nobody land, all of ayo who calling for that need yours taking away and lets see who going be bawlin...Setta idiots...Go find other land to go race on and leave the Thomas family birth right alone!


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.